Category: English

The day I left the Frank family, Godfather Fabian drove through three border checkpoints trying to stop my car from reaching the airport. He didn’t succeed. His texts came in like a barrage of gunfire: “What the hell are you doing? All because Nydia was joking around and your hand got broken?” “I’ve told you a hundred times—Nydia’s father died saving my life. She grew up with me. I know she doesn’t mean any harm. You’re my wife. You’re the Godmother of the Frank family. Can you please act like it?” “Michelle, stop throwing tantrums like a child. You have one hour. Get back here. Now.” For days, every time I blocked a number, he’d find a new one to call from. Eventually I had no choice but to swap out my SIM card entirely, severing every last thread connecting me to the Godfather. Two years later, I returned to New York for a friend’s birthday. I’d barely stepped out of the airport when I ran into a member of the Frank family. He asked me, “Godmother, it’s been two years. Surely you’ve cooled off enough to come back and make up with the Godfather?” “After you left, he never looked at another woman. He’s been waiting for you this whole time.” … I listened to all of it and felt nothing. Because in the three years I was married to Fabian, I was sick for every single one of them. By the third year, a sudden neurological episode caused me to fall—my arm dislocated, my fingers shattered in multiple places. Forget my dream of becoming a pianist. I couldn’t even feed myself. When I was at my most wretched, ravaged by pain and illness, Fabian did stay by my side day and night, taking care of me. That much was true. Then I heard that a brilliant surgeon was visiting New York, and for the first time in a long while, a spark of hope flickered in my chest. I wanted Fabian to take me, but he was swamped with work, so I went to the consultation alone. After reviewing the thick stack of medical records I’d brought, the surgeon looked puzzled. “Ms. Michelle, your reports indicate that your current inability to move your hand isn’t caused by the fractures. Nor is it neurological.” “Rather, it appears that prolonged use of psychiatric medication impaired your judgment, leading to the accidental fall. After the injury, you were administered a drug that suppresses recovery over an extended period, compounded by improper rehabilitation.” His fingertip came to rest on the attending physician’s signature at the top of the most recent file. The look he gave me was loaded with meaning. “I’d suggest you switch doctors. Better yet, switch hospitals entirely.” I stared at the name of the attending physician—Nydia—and felt as though I’d been struck by lightning. She was Fabian’s adopted sister. No blood relation. For three years, she had been treating me at my husband Fabian’s request. My vision went black in waves. I stumbled out of the clinic, and my first instinct was to tell Fabian—Nydia was trying to destroy me. I went straight to the administrative building in the city center. I was about to go in when I heard an old lieutenant’s voice just inside the door: “If the Godmother keeps taking the medication Nydia prescribed, she may never be able to pursue her dream again. She’ll be half-crippled for life. Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Fabian’s voice followed, tinged with resignation: “Nydia probably saw me doing rehab with Michelle and got jealous again. The wrong medication—that’s just her throwing a fit. If Michelle’s hand ends up useless, I’ll take care of her for the rest of her life. She’s my Godmother. I can protect her.” He paused, as if trying to justify himself: “Nydia’s father died saving me. Back then, I promised I’d marry her when we grew up. But then I fell in love with Michelle at first sight and couldn’t keep that promise. I already owe Nydia more than I can repay.” “As long as it makes her feel better—whatever treatment plan she writes, I’ll go along with it.” Fabian’s words were a blade, and they shredded my heart to pieces. All this time, I’d thought I was simply unlucky—injured the day before my performance, then taking medication for so long, doing rehabilitation for so long, only to get worse instead of better. I’d felt guilty for burdening Fabian. Felt bad for troubling Nydia. But it had all been their doing. Together. I slammed the door open. The moment my eyes met his, scorching tears spilled down my face. “Why?” Fabian flinched, then quickly regained his composure. “Michelle, knowing about this isn’t going to help your recovery.” “Besides, as long as I’m here, even if you end up disabled, you’ll never be mistreated. I promise you that.” I could barely believe what I was hearing. My dream of playing piano—gone. My hand—useless. I could barely manage to eat on my own. From a golden girl to a broken woman, pitied and mocked by everyone around me. And he dismissed it all with a few easy words? I said nothing. I just turned around on instinct. I had no doubt—damn Fabian would sacrifice everything I had, my future, even my life, for his so-called “promise,” his so-called guilt. But the moment I turned to leave, his man Jack stepped into my path. “Enough, Michelle. Everyone in the Frank family knows how important Nydia is to me. No matter what you say or do, they’ll just think the medication’s gotten to your head and you’re talking nonsense.” “Just cooperate, and our life together will stay as happy as it’s always been. I’ll even tell Nydia to ease up—it won’t hurt as much anymore. Okay?” “Oh—and leave the examination report you’re holding. That kind of thing could hurt Nydia’s reputation.” Jack stepped forward on cue to grab it. I fought back with everything I had. No matter how I begged, Fabian didn’t move. He even gave Jack a look that said hurry up. When I wouldn’t let go, Jack pried my fingers open one by one. The sickening crack of bone echoed through the room alongside my screams. Because of the drugs I’d been given, my bones hadn’t healed the way a normal person’s would. And my hand had only just begun to show the faintest signs of improvement. This kind of second injury would destroy it for good. But Fabian only cared about the report now in his hands. He fed it straight into the office shredder without hesitation. I lifted my head with what strength I had left and met Fabian’s gaze—faintly disgusted, as if I were the one being unreasonable. My chest felt stuffed with cotton, swelling until I could barely breathe. Fabian sighed, then scooped me up gently into his arms. “Sweetheart, you understand, don’t you?” “I just owe Nydia too much.” He leaned in to kiss me. I turned my head away. Before I could say another word, the surge of emotion and pain dragged me under, and I blacked out. My last conscious thought was drenched in despair: So this is what he calls love. — That night, I spiked a fever and slipped into a coma. Half a day of emergency treatment. Another day in the ICU. When I finally opened my eyes, the doctor exhaled slowly and shook his head. “Godmother, your hand had just started to improve. After this… I’m afraid conventional treatment won’t be enough anymore.” I closed my eyes. All that remained inside me was a vast, dead silence. With the nurse’s help, I dialed the number of Fabian’s grandfather—the former Godfather, Keith. “Grandpa Keith.” My voice was raw, but perfectly calm. “I accept your deal. I’ll divorce Fabian and leave him. For good.”

Old Godfather Keith was overjoyed. For the first time, there was a smile in his voice when he spoke to me: “Once you’re gone, Fabian will settle down and come back to take over the family from me. He’ll stop wasting his days poring over useless medical textbooks for your sake.” “I’ll have the dissolution agreement sent over right away. One month from now, as we agreed, I’ll arrange for you to go to a rehabilitation center in Europe—and you’ll receive one hundred million.” It wasn’t long before Keith’s butler arrived and handed me a document. I signed without hesitation. The next day, Nydia had Fabian bring me to the operating room under the guise of an “experimental treatment.” When I drifted back to consciousness, I saw Nydia’s true face for the first time—stripped of its gentle mask. “What the hell did you do, you bitch! Fabian says he’s going to keep his distance from me from now on!” I could only marvel at the absurdity. Three years of marriage, and now Fabian decided to put some distance between them. I was about to speak when I met Nydia’s eyes—half-crazed, unhinged. She glared at me through gritted teeth, her gaze burning with a jealousy so fierce it frightened me. She turned around and rummaged through something on the table. When she turned back, one hand held a thick syringe filled with silver liquid and a scalpel; the other gripped a hammer. She looked deranged. “I’m going to teach you a lesson today, you worthless whore.” I tried to run, only to realize I couldn’t move. I was a fish on a cutting board. That’s when it came back to me—when I’d first been brought in, still groggy, Nydia must have injected me with something. She walked toward me, smiling, step by step. First, she drove the thick needle into my arm again and again until blood ran freely. Then she took the scalpel and carved lines across my entire body. Finally, she picked up the hammer, aimed it at my hand—the swelling had only just gone down—and brought it crashing down. I didn’t even have time to scream before the pain dragged me into darkness. When I woke again, my wounds had been neatly treated and both hands were back in casts. I spent three more days in the ICU. Fabian sat vigil at my bedside, guilt and heartache written all over his face. But before I could get a word out, he handed me a phone. “This is an apology video Nydia recorded.” “What she did this time was admittedly a bit much. I’ve already talked to her about it—she knows she was wrong. She’s still young, that’s all. Too impulsive. You’re her sister-in-law and the Godmother. Be the bigger person and forgive her, won’t you?” Watching Nydia’s radiant smile and smug eyes in the video, listening to a voice devoid of any real remorse, I felt as though a bucket of ice water had been poured over my head, chilling me to the bone. I lifted my gaze to Fabian, dazed. I wanted to raise my hands. I wanted him to see my wounds, to understand that Nydia’s hollow “apology” meant nothing—nothing—compared to the agony wracking my entire body. But he couldn’t read the devastation in my eyes. He assumed I was simply being difficult. His brow furrowed, his tone edged with irritation. “Michelle, can you grow up? Stop being unreasonable!” I looked up in disbelief. He knew perfectly well that Nydia had done this to me, and yet he still took her side, blamed me, and demanded I forgive her. I couldn’t hold it back any longer. “You two conspired to torture me! Why should I forgive—” Fabian cut me off, his voice cold as steel. “Michelle! Making accusations like that is not how a Godmother behaves. Jack—enforce house rules.” Jack hauled me upright, and his open palm struck my face. Then a second time. A third. As the fourth blow was about to land— Fabian raised his hand to stop it. He cradled my face gently in both hands, slipping back into his usual tenderness. “Michelle, I’ve told you before—you’re the Godmother now. You can’t keep acting out like this. Consider this a lesson. And an apology to Nydia.” He pressed a soft kiss against my reddened, swollen cheek and sighed with what sounded like genuine weariness. “Let me go check on Nydia. The poor girl’s probably still scared you’re angry with her.” I wanted to laugh—a cold, bitter laugh—but I couldn’t even manage that. The twin torment of body and soul had stripped me of every last word. I watched Fabian hurry away, my eyes frozen over. Fabian, we’re done. — I spent another week in the ICU. After I was discharged, Nydia sent me a message: “Fabian’s throwing me a birthday party. You’re invited too!” “Make sure you come—I’ve got a surprise for you~” On the day of Nydia’s birthday celebration, Fabian dressed me in a gown, clasped the family heirloom bracelet around my wrist, and personally trimmed my disheveled hair. An outsider watching would have been certain the Godfather adored his Godmother. But I had already seen the photos Nydia posted on Instagram: the gown she wore had been commissioned from a master tailor by Fabian over a year ago, and the jewels draping her body were worth at least ten times mine. Fabian bent down and lifted me into his arms. I flinched, struggling instinctively. He turned uncharacteristically forceful. In the struggle, the wedding ring slipped from my finger and went clattering down the stairs, pinging against each step. A passing maid didn’t notice and stepped right on it. That ring—from the selection of the stone to every detail of its crafting—had been Fabian’s doing. It was supposed to be proof of his love. Now it lay crushed beneath a careless foot. Fabian barely glanced at it, his voice impatient. “Hurry up. We can’t keep Nydia waiting.” So that was where I stood. The symbol of our marriage couldn’t even compete with a few seconds of Nydia’s patience. A bitter ache filled my chest, and I had no strength left to fight. We arrived at the banquet hall shortly after. Nydia’s gaze fell on my plaster-bound hands, her eyes brimming with contempt. “Fabian, is Michelle’s hand getting any better?” Her tone dripped with concern; the malice underneath didn’t even try to hide. “Oh—I know this amazing dessert. Come with me to get some for Michelle.” She latched onto Fabian’s arm, cooing sweetly. Before I could open my mouth, Fabian was already setting me down with an indulgent smile, rushing off after Nydia without a backward glance. I stood there alone. Dozens of gazes landed on me—some startled, some mocking, some dripping with disdain.

“Look—the Godmother really is out of favor.” “I heard from a few people in the Frank family that Nydia seems more like the Godmother than Michelle does.” “Obviously. You could tell just from Fabian’s attitude earlier.” “I mean, who’d want a cripple for a wife?” Malice came at me from every direction. I stood there trembling, my face burning. This kind of humiliation—I’d already endured it once, three years ago at my own wedding. Back then, Nydia deliberately hid my wedding dress, and I had to walk down the aisle in a plain white sundress. And through three years of illness, through every mortifying moment, I’d survived. Now, hearing these whispers, all I felt was numb. Not far away, Nydia was tugging Fabian along as she unwrapped birthday presents. I silently clenched my fists. The man who had sworn to protect me countless times had abandoned me long ago… The banquet was lavish and extravagant—less like a birthday party and more like a celebration fit for a Godfather and Godmother. With a grand wave of his hand, Fabian presented Nydia with three gifts: A nomination for a prestigious medical award. A private hospital with her installed as director. And a totem ring—the symbol of the family’s matriarch. The ring he’d told me he would place on my finger himself once I recovered. Now firmly on Nydia’s hand. I couldn’t suppress a bitter, self-mocking curl of my lips—but I hadn’t meant to provoke Nydia. She couldn’t make a scene in front of everyone, so she waited until the intermission and cornered me as I came out of the restroom. “What are you smiling at! All you have is a marriage certificate! I’m telling you—Fabian will marry me sooner or later and cut you off for good!” I remained perfectly calm. “I think so too.” But my composure only enraged her further. Her brow knotted, her face flushed red in an instant, and she lunged at me like a madwoman, trying to shove me down the stairs. I took a wary step back, but she grabbed my arm viciously. The stabbing pain in my arm made me struggle on instinct. In the middle of the scuffle, Fabian happened to appear. Nydia’s eyes filled with tears instantly. She cried out, “Michelle, I’m sorry—please don’t push me!” Then she gritted her teeth and threw herself down the staircase. Pathetic acting. A clumsy frame job. But Fabian—clever as he was—believed it. “Nydia!” Shock and fury twisted his face. He flew down the stairs without a single glance at me—half my body already dangling over the railing, pulled outward by her momentum. “Fabian…” Helpless. Desperate. My voice echoed through the stairwell. No one answered. Minutes later, my strength gave out, and I fell from the third floor. I don’t know how long I was unconscious this time. When I finally opened my eyes again, there was no one at my bedside. Three days later, Fabian finally came to see me. He walked in and immediately launched into accusations: “Nydia just wanted to enjoy her birthday and share the happiness with you. Not only did you refuse her kindness, you deliberately pushed her down the stairs and made her bleed. That was completely out of line!” Out of line? The only thing out of line was marrying him in the first place. I turned my face away. I didn’t want to speak to him anymore. Perhaps the sight of me—wretched, wrapped head to toe in bandages—finally stirred something in him. Fabian sighed and sat down beside me. “I neglected you a little, and you got so jealous you pushed her down the stairs. That’s not how a Godmother carries herself… Nydia’s being gracious about it and doesn’t blame you. Once you’re feeling better, go apologize to her.” “I won’t.” The words came out before I could think. Fabian’s expression shifted. A flash of anger crossed his eyes. It settled into reproach: “You’re practically her elder. A young girl throws a tantrum—you rest for a few days, let your body heal on its own, and it’s no big deal.” Rest for a few days and it’s no big deal? I’d fallen from the third floor. Multiple compound fractures throughout my body. My arms devastated yet again. I could barely eat, could barely move—and he dismissed it with a single offhand sentence. I had no doubt that even if I’d died right in front of him that day, his only concern would have been that my blood had ruined Nydia’s birthday party. A man who had long since stopped loving me—no amount of suffering on my part could earn even a scrap of his attention. I didn’t want to waste my energy anymore. I swallowed the cold laugh rising to my lips. “Fine. I’ll go later. Now get out—I need to rest.” But Fabian didn’t stand. After a moment’s hesitation, he tightened his grip on my hand and spoke gently: “Michelle, there’s something I need your consent for…” “Nydia wants me to give her a child. To carry on the bloodline.” I froze for a moment, then spoke: “Whatever’s between you and her—you don’t need my permission.” As if my refusal would have stopped him anyway. Fabian, thinking I’d misunderstood, patiently explained: “Don’t worry, I won’t let you be wronged. The technology is very advanced now. Artificial insemination will allow Nydia to conceive without any issue.” I felt dizzy, disoriented. The man before me had transformed into someone I no longer recognized. “Fine.” My voice was flat. A person who has truly given up doesn’t have emotional ups and downs anymore. “That’s my girl.” Fabian nodded with satisfaction. “Now this is more like it. At least Nydia’s all-night effort preparing your new treatment plan wasn’t wasted on you.” He clapped his hands, and Nydia walked in. When I saw the medical equipment she wheeled in behind her, my eyes went wide with horror. I shrank back instinctively—but Fabian caught me.

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The swimming pool turned crimson. My son’s body floated to the surface, covered in holes. Blood leaked from everywhere—his arms, his legs, places I couldn’t even see yet. I dove in and dragged Leo to the edge. His swimsuit was writhing. Leeches. Hundreds of them. Someone had stuffed his trunks full of bloodsucking parasites before the race. The woman responsible stood poolside, laughing. Her son—the real culprit—slapped me across the face. Once. Twice. Ten times. “How dare a scholarship kid compete against the richest family in Manhattan?” She grabbed my hair, forcing me to my knees. “This is what happens when trash tries to climb above its station.” Her smile was venomous. “One word from me, and you’ll be exiled from New York society forever. Try me.” I raised an eyebrow. Since when did the sole heir to the Sterling fortune become a “charity case”? I wiped the blood from my lip and pulled out my phone. Speed-dial: my husband. “Richard,” I said calmly. “I heard a rumor that the Sterling family has a… bastard son. Is that true?” — A male voice answered. Not Richard’s. “Who the hell is this?” The assistant’s tone was sharp. “Mr. Ashford doesn’t have time for this. Vanguard Holdings will sue you into the ground if you keep harassing him.” I froze. Ten years of marriage. He didn’t even have my number saved. The voice on the other end kept yelling, but I wasn’t listening anymore. My eyes locked onto the woman’s wrist. A jade bracelet. Translucent green. My family heirloom. And the boy beside her—her son—was wearing the limited-edition watch I’d given Leo for his birthday. So that’s how it was. If I hadn’t come home early from my business trip, I never would’ve known. Richard had a mistress. And judging by the boy’s age—exactly Leo’s age—he’d been cheating since the day we conceived our son. He’d been eating at my table for a decade. Now he wanted to feast somewhere else. Fine. Let’s see how he likes his last meal. I hung up. The referee smirked. “What’s wrong? Realizing your little stunt didn’t work?” She gestured toward the mistress with exaggerated respect. “This is Simone, wife of Richard Ashford, CEO of Vanguard Holdings. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll pull your son from the competition right now.” The other parents chimed in. “Everyone knows Chase is the favorite to win. Why’s some scholarship brat even allowed in the pool?” “Honestly, I’m worried my kid will catch something just swimming near him. Poor people carry diseases, you know.” Their stares felt like knives. Leo trembled in my arms, his small body shaking. He clutched my sleeve, voice barely a whisper. “Mom, I didn’t do anything wrong. I just… I heard first place gets $500. I wanted to buy you a present.” His lips were white. “And if I get into the training program, it’s free. Room and board. You won’t have to spend money on me anymore.” My heart shattered. Three years ago, I left for Europe to handle overseas operations. Before I left, I explicitly told Richard: give Leo a $50,000 monthly allowance. And now my son was competing for five hundred dollars. Before Leo could finish speaking, a swim goggle flew through the air. It hit him square in the groin. Chase sneered. “My dad booked out the entire Ritz for my victory party tonight. You really thought you could steal my trophy?” Leo collapsed, curling into a ball. Simone and Chase exchanged a glance. Her smile turned predatory. “If your son wants attention so badly, let’s give him some.” She raised her hand. A pack of photographers surged forward, cameras flashing. One of them grinned. “‘Elementary School Swimmer Uses Leeches to Cheat—Story at Eleven.’ This is gonna trend for sure.” I stared at the flashing lights, my voice colder than ice. “Whichever outlet publishes a single photo will be erased from Manhattan by morning.” The authority in my tone made every camera freeze mid-click. Leo’s tears streamed down his face as he clutched himself, gasping in pain. “Mom… it hurts…” I pulled up his sleeve. The leeches had burrowed deep. Dozens of puncture wounds covered his skin. God only knew how much worse it was in the places I couldn’t see. My hands shook as I dialed. “Arthur,” I said quietly. “Leo’s been injured. I need the best trauma team in the city at this location. Now.” A pause. “And freeze all of Richard’s access to company assets. Bring him to me. I don’t care if you have to drag him.” Arthur’s voice was steady. “Understood, Miss Sterling. I’m en route.”

Before I could lower my phone, Simone slapped it out of my hand. She tilted her chin up, eyes filled with contempt. “Still trying to call for backup? Pathetic.” “You’re not leaving until you and your brat get on your knees and apologize to my son.” I laughed bitterly. “You attack my child, and you want us to apologize?” Chase crossed his arms, smug. “Everyone at school knows the rules. Anyone who crosses me crawls around the playground on all fours. Like a dog.” He looked at Leo, his smile cruel. “Your son’s the best at it, by the way. So obedient…” Leo whimpered and covered his head, his whole body trembling. I stroked his back, my voice soft. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here now. The doctors are coming.” Simone laughed. “Doctors? Let me show you what real power looks like.” She snapped her fingers. Within seconds, every road leading to the venue was blocked. Barricades. Security. Nothing in or out. Leo’s temperature spiked. Every second we waited, the leeches burrowed deeper into his flesh. My fury finally erupted. I slapped Simone across the face. “You gold-digging trash. You think you can block MY son from receiving medical care?” “The entire hospital network in this city is owned by the Sterling family. You have no authority here.” I raised my voice, addressing the crowd. “My name is Victoria Sterling. I am the true owner of Vanguard Holdings.” “If there are any medical professionals present, please help my son. The Sterling family will repay you generously.” Silence. No one moved. Simone recovered from the slap, her face twisted in rage. “What are you waiting for?! Grab her!” Seven bodyguards rushed me. Within seconds, I was pinned to the ground. Simone’s eyes gleamed with malice. “Make this bitch kowtow. Ninety-nine times. I want to hear her skull crack.” Thud. Thud. Thud. My forehead slammed into the tile floor again and again. Warm blood trickled into my eyes, blurring my vision. Simone pulled out her phone, her voice sickly sweet. “Honey? Someone’s bullying me. She says her name is—” Richard didn’t even let her finish. “I don’t care who she is. No one in this city can touch my wife and get away with it.” His voice was firm, protective. “Do whatever you want to her. I’ll handle the rest when I’m done with this meeting.” The crowd whispered, delighted. “Did you hear that? Mr. Ashford doesn’t even know who she is.” “She’s insane. Everyone knows Richard worships the ground Simone walks on. She’s done for.” Leo crawled toward Chase on his hands and knees, his voice breaking. “Please. I’ll do anything. I’ll be your dog. Just… don’t hurt my mom anymore…” Chase kicked him in the face. His shoe ground into Leo’s cheek. “Too late for begging now, loser.” A voice boomed from the entrance. “STOP!”

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Stellan Thorne walked into my law firm with his third pregnant mistress. And asked me to draft a property transfer agreement for her. His friends stood off to the side, taking bets on how many seconds it would take before I lost control. I didn’t say a word as the thick stack of papers printed out. Stellan pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice low. “Her body can’t handle the physical toll of labor.” “Ines. Once the babies are born, you’ll legally adopt them. You are the only Mrs. Thorne.” I slid the notarized trust agreement across the desk without a word. Out of professional habit, I gave him one last warning. “This is legally binding.” Stellan took the papers, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. He pushed divorce papers across the table toward me, his tone softening. “Sign it. It’s just a formality.” “She’s healthy enough to carry. Once the babies are born and you adopt them, the Board will stop breathing down your neck about being barren.” “You’ll always be Mrs. Thorne. I’m doing this to protect you.” I’d played along with this charade twice before. This time, I signed without hesitation. Then I turned and slipped on the ten-carat pink diamond ring. The one that the Wall Street kingpin had given me. …… Faye Lawson stroked her swollen belly, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Stellan, is Ines upset with me?” “Look, she even bought herself a ring.” Stellan’s eyes locked onto my ring finger. His jaw tightened, irritation flashing across his face. “Ines, knock it off.” “You think some cheap piece of glass is going to change my mind?” I pushed the signed divorce papers back across the desk. “It’s done. Tomorrow morning in my lawyer’s office. Let’s discuss the distribution of assets.” The room went dead silent for a moment. Then Stellan’s buddies burst into laughter. “Ines, you’ve been playing hard to get for three years. Aren’t you bored yet?” “Seriously. Stellan just wants an heir. You can’t give him one, so why block everyone else?” “What kind of selfish woman does that?” Stellan rubbed his temples, clearly fed up with my stubbornness. “Ines, stop this.” “Faye’s carrying twins. The doctor said the pregnancy is high-risk. She needs bed rest.” Faye leaned into Stellan’s chest, her eyes welling up with crocodile tears. “Stellan, I don’t want our babies to grow up in some hidden apartment like they’re shameful.” She looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes. “Ines, could I stay at your penthouse while I’m on bed rest? The security is better there, and it’s closer to the hospital.” That penthouse was the inheritance my parents left me before they died in a car crash. “That’s my pre-marital property.” Faye flinched like I’d slapped her, tears streaming down her face. “Ines, don’t be so mean. I’m only thinking of the babies.” “If you don’t want to, fine. I’ll just take them back to my hometown.” Stellan pulled her closer and turned to me, his voice hard with authority. “Ines, why are you making this difficult?” “The place is sitting empty anyway. Move out tonight and let Faye move in.” I stared at the face I used to love. The woman I’d been back then seemed pathetic now. “Stellan, do you not understand English?” “That’s my property.” Stellan’s expression darkened. “Ines, it’s just a penthouse. Once the babies are born, you’ll get it back.” “Faye is pregnant. Think of the bigger picture.” His friends chimed in from the sidelines. “Ines, Faye’s carrying the Thorne heirs. You can’t spare one apartment?” I looked at Stellan calmly. “And if I refuse?” Stellan let out a cold laugh and pulled out his phone. “Your firm’s biggest client is Thorne Enterprises, isn’t it?” “Ines, you’re a smart woman. You know what to do. Don’t make me use leverage.” For his mistress, he was threatening the career I’d built from nothing. I looked at the smug certainty in his eyes and suddenly smiled. “Fine. I’ll move out.” Stellan blinked, clearly not expecting me to cave so easily. Satisfaction flickered in his eyes, and his tone softened. “Good. Be reasonable, and I’ll take care of you.” “Move back to the Thorne Estate tonight. Tomorrow my assistant will help Faye settle in.” I stood and let my gaze sweep over all of them. “I’ll have it cleared out tonight.” “Stellan, I hope you don’t regret this.” Stellan scoffed. “It’s just temporary while Faye’s on bed rest. The penthouse is still yours. Stop being dramatic.” Faye tilted her chin up and shot me a triumphant smirk. I didn’t spare them another glance as I walked out of the office. As the door closed behind me, I could still hear his boys laughing. “Stellan’s got her wrapped around his finger.” “Once those twins are born, Stellan will have three kids. Three!” Three kids? I laughed under my breath. I hoped he’d still be smiling when he learned the truth.

That night, a storm rolled in. I went back to the Central Park penthouse to pack. There wasn’t much to take. I didn’t touch a single thing that belonged to Stellan. I took my parents’ photo and my five-year-old Ragdoll cat, Snowball. Snowball seemed to sense my mood and gently licked my fingers. The lock beeped. Stellan walked in, rain dripping from his coat. He saw the suitcase by the door and his expression hardened. “You’re actually leaving?” “Ines, I told you to move back to the Estate. What the hell are you packing for?” I stuffed the last coat into my suitcase and zipped it shut. “The papers are signed. Why would I go back to the Estate?” “Save your energy for your precious twins.” Stellan strode over and slammed his hand down on my suitcase. “Are you done throwing your tantrum?” “I told you the divorce is just a formality. Why are you making this difficult?” “You’re a woman. Without me, without the Thorne family, where the hell do you think you’re going?” His eyes were full of certainty. He thought I couldn’t survive on my own. I shoved his hand off. “Where I go is none of your concern anymore.” Stellan’s face darkened. He was about to explode when Faye’s call came through. Her voice on the other end was a whimpering mess. “Stellan, I’m scared without you here.” “The thunder is so loud. My stomach hurts. What if something’s wrong with the babies?” Stellan’s expression shifted to panic. “Faye, don’t worry. I’m coming right now.” He hung up and shot me a cold glare. “Ines, you better pray nothing happens to Faye’s babies.” “Otherwise, I will never forgive you.” He turned and disappeared into the storm. I watched his retreating figure and felt nothing but contempt. When I was bleeding out in the operating room from an ectopic pregnancy, where was he? He was touring venues for his first mistress’s kid’s shower. I closed my eyes and buried that humiliating memory. I grabbed my suitcase, scooped up Snowball, and left the penthouse for good. The next morning, I showed up on time at my lawyer’s office, waited until the close of business. Stellan never showed. He didn’t answer a single call. As I was leaving, one of his friends called me instead. “Ines, do you have any conscience at all?” “Faye had complications last night. Stellan was at the hospital with her all night, and you’re still pushing him to finalize the divorce?” “Are you trying to kill his babies? Is that what you want?” My voice was flat and emotionless. “If he’s busy, we can reschedule.” I hung up and headed straight to my firm. The moment I walked through the door, I could feel the tension. My assistant Clara rushed over, her eyes red and frantic. “Ines, we have a problem.” “Thorne Enterprises’ Legal Department just sent an email. They’ve terminated all contracts with us, effective immediately.” “And they’re telling other clients that anyone who works with us is declaring war on Thorne.” I stopped in my tracks, my eyes going cold. Stellan was trying to force me to crawl back. He thought cutting off my income would make me submit. I opened my laptop to find a dozen termination emails from the major clients I’d spent years building relationships with. My phone buzzed with a text from Stellan. [Apologize to Faye. Promise to behave and stay, Mrs. Thorne. I’ll restore the contracts.] [Ines, don’t test my patience.] I stared at the screen and laughed. He always had that same condescending, magnanimous tone. I didn’t reply. Then I blocked his number and dialed someone else. The call connected immediately. A man’s deep voice came through the line. “So Stellan finally kicked you to the curb?” “Evander, you win.” I stared out the window. “I don’t want Thorne’s business anymore. But I need you to do something for me.”

The man on the other end let out a low laugh. “Name it. I’d hand you all of Wall Street if you asked.” “What do you need?” My voice turned ice-cold. “I want Thorne Enterprises to go into financial freefall within a month.” Over the next few days, Stellan didn’t show his face. He probably assumed I was somewhere scrambling to save my firm, ready to come crawling back any second. He had no idea. I’d already sold my stake in the firm for a fortune and quietly taken over all of Sinclair Group’s North American legal operations. That afternoon, I’d just finished a meeting at Sinclair Tower when my phone rang. The vet clinic. “Ms. Kensington, something’s happened to your cat!” My heart seized. I drove straight to the clinic. I pushed through the door to find Snowball lying on the operating table, blood matting her white fur, barely breathing. The vet’s hands were covered in blood, his face grim. “Ms. Kensington, she was beaten with a blunt object. Internal damage. We did everything we could.” My mind went blank. Snowball was a birthday gift from my parents. She’d stayed with me through countless sleepless, lonely nights. My hands trembled as I stroked her bloodstained fur. Snowball struggled to open her eyes one last time, looked at me, and then stopped breathing. “Who did this?” My voice came out hoarse. The vet sighed and pulled up the security footage from outside. On the screen, Faye stood in oversized sunglasses, gripping a golf club. Behind her, a bodyguard dragged Snowball out of her carrier. Faye didn’t hesitate. She swung the club down hard, over and over. When Snowball finally stopped moving, Faye kicked her in disgust. “Stupid animal thought it could scratch me? Should’ve known its place.” She turned to the bodyguard. “Toss it on the street. Don’t let Stellan see this mess.” I stared at the screen, my nails digging into my palms until I couldn’t feel them anymore. I pulled out my phone and called the police. Half an hour later, officers escorted me to what used to be my home. The door swung open. Faye was curled up in Stellan’s arms. When she saw the cops, she let out a shriek and hid behind him. “Stellan, I’m scared.” Stellan stepped in front of her, his face dark with fury as he glared at me. “Ines, what the hell is wrong with you now?” “Bringing cops to my home? Are you trying to humiliate me?” I looked at him coldly. “Faye is under investigation for destruction of property and animal cruelty. I’m pressing charges.” Stellan froze for a second, then laughed in disbelief. “Over that worthless cat?” “Ines, are you out of your mind? It’s a cat. It’s dead. I’ll buy you ten more if you want.” “Faye is pregnant. She can’t handle this kind of stress. Get the hell out of my house. Now.” I stared at the man in front of me. He felt like a stranger. “That cat was mine. My parents gave her to me.” “What did she do to deserve being beaten to death?” Faye peeked out from behind Stellan, tears streaming down her face. “Ines, stop lying.” “The cat went crazy and tried to claw my stomach. I was protecting the Thorne heirs. It was self-defense.” “Do you really value an animal over the lives of our children?” Stellan’s expression turned vicious. He lunged forward and raised his hand. The slap echoed through the room. Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth, and my ears rang. Stellan pointed at me, shaking with rage. “Ines, how twisted are you?” “You can’t have children, so you use a damn animal to try and kill mine?” “If anything happens to Faye’s babies, you’ll pay with your life.” The officers immediately stepped forward and pulled Stellan back. “Mr. Thorne, calm down. You just assaulted someone in front of law enforcement. We can arrest you for that.” Stellan didn’t even flinch. He straightened his cuffs with a cold smirk. “Arrest me? The Police Commissioner answers my calls. I’m disciplining my wife. You think you can arrest me?” He turned back to me, his eyes full of warning. “Ines, I’m giving you one last chance.” “Drop the charges. Get on your knees and apologize to Faye.” “Or I’ll make sure you never work in this city again.” I wiped the blood from my mouth and looked at the two of them with complete calm. The rage had burned out, leaving only clarity. “Stellan, that slap just severed the last thread between us.” “You want children?” “Then I hope you have a beautiful family together.” I turned to the officers. “I’ve submitted the surveillance footage. I’m pressing charges.” I walked out without looking back. Behind me, Stellan’s voice exploded into the night. “Ines! Don’t you dare walk out that door!” “If you leave, you’re never coming back!”

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“Luna. Let me tell you a secret.” Alpha Kaelen leaned in close, voice barely a whisper. “The late Alpha didn’t just die of illness. I switched out his medicine that night.” He smiled. “Funny, isn’t it? You saved a Rogue’s pup, Luna. And I killed your Alpha.” *********** Six months since Kaelen took over the pack. Six months, and my guards, my servants, my food had been cut three times. The fourth time, the Beta who delivered the message didn’t even bother to bow. He said the Alpha had found me a quiet cabin at the edge of the territory. “The Alpha thinks it would be good for you to rest there.” I sat all day, sorting through everything my late mate had left me. The Obsidian Fang. Three Blood Decrees that the late alpha made. The next day, I attended the Full Moon Council as usual. From my seat, I watched the pack through the flickering firelight. Kaelen turned his head and glanced at me. The woman standing beside him wasn’t the Luna. It was Chloe—his chosen Mate, the one he’d publicly claimed just last month. She adjusted his collar, her fingers lingering on the fresh bite marks on her neck. She leaned in and whispered something. Then Kaelen raised his voice for everyone to hear. “I don’t think our Luna has been feeling well lately. She doesn’t need to worry about pack affairs anymore.” A few Betas murmured in agreement. I didn’t move. “So you think it’s time for me to go?” I paused. “Let me ask you something.The late Alpha left three Blood Decrees. Did you konw?” Dead silence. Kaelen’s fingers dug into the armrest. “The first one protects my position as Luna. You’ve seen that one. But you seem unwilling to comply.” “The second one—do you want to open it now? Or would you rather wait until I’m gone?” Not a sound. Every wolf in attendance lowered their heads. Even their breathing seemed to slow. Kaelen’s face drained of color. He stared in my direction, his throat bobbing twice. His knuckles had gone white from gripping the armrest. I watched his eyes through the dim light. That wasn’t guilt. That was fear. “Luna, you can’t be serious.” His voice dropped low, barely holding steady. “The Blood Decrees is sacred. You can’t just throw it around like this. We can talk about this in private after the council.” He was stalling. I wasn’t going to give him the chance. My hand slipped into my cloak. My fingers brushed against the Blood Decrees. In the front row, a few of the late Alpha’s old allies lifted their heads. “Well. Since you’re in no rush.” I flicked my wrist. The Blood Decrees flew from my hand and tumbled down the stone steps. Every pair of eyes followed it down. No one moved. Kaelen shot to his feet—but the woman beside him was faster. Chloe grabbed her skirts and rushed down the steps, bending low to snatch the Blood Decrees. “Our Luna hasn’t been sleeping well. I think the stress is getting to her head. Don’t worry, I’ll keep this safe—” I watched her bent figure, and a memory surfaced. Twelve years ago. Dead of winter. I had found him half-dead in the snow, a rogue’s unwanted pup, and brought him into the pack. I gave him a home. A name and a future. And this was what I got in return. “How dare you.” Four Luna’s Guards burst through the entrance, half-shifted, claws out and pressed against Chloe’s throat. She froze. Hand in midair. All the color gone from her face. Someone gasped. Chloe’s legs shook. She looked desperately at Kaelen, lips trembling, but nothing came out. Kaelen’s eyes went wide. He pulled Chloe behind him, voice rising. “She was just trying to help! What the hell are you doing? You want to tear this pack apart over nothing?” His hand clamped down on Chloe’s shoulder. Veins popped along the back of his hand. The Betas who had backed him up moments ago were now staring at their feet. Silent. I didn’t acknowledge him. “Head Elder.” In the front row, the white-haired elder’s knees gave out. He sank to the ground. “I… I’m here.” “Pick it up. Read it out loud.” The old man crawled to the bottom of the steps. His hands trembled as he lifted the Blood Decrees. His fingers shook so hard that flakes of dried scattered across the stone. Kaelen opened his mouth, ready to stop him—but dozens of eyes snapped toward him at once. The words died in his throat. His eyes scanned the text. Left to right. His face changed. He looked up at me. Then back at Kaelen. His lips moved, but no sound came out. “Read it.” I said.

The Head Elder’s voice shook as he read, every word forced out. “The late Alpha’s second decree: Should the new Alpha neglect his duties for personal pleasures or permit any mate to overstep her place” “—the Luna holds the right to strip all ranks from those involved. No appeal. No council vote. Effective at once.” Silence. Then every pair of eyes turned to the same spot. Chloe stood behind Kaelen. Her face had gone gray. Her nails dug into her palms so hard they nearly drew blood. The Decree bore the late Alpha’s blood seal and scent. Every stroke, every mark is unmistakable. Impossible to forge. Kaelen’s jaw clenched. He couldn’t get a single word out. I rose to my feet. Every wolf in the room turned to look at me. The old guard in the front lowered their gazes. The younger wolves in the back were shaking. “Beta Hendricks failed to teach his daughter her place. He let her snatch the late Alpha’s Blood Decree in front of the entire pack. A direct insult to this council.” “The Blood Decrees carries the late Alpha’s blood seal. Only the Luna has the right to unseal it. ” “Beta Hendricks failed to teach his daughter her place. She tried to snatch it in front of the entire pack—that’s not just disrespect. That’s a direct challenge to his final command.” My voice was calm. But everyone heard it. On the left side, third row—Beta Hendricks, Chloe’s father, went purple in the face. He swayed twice but forced himself to stay standing. My voice was calm. But everyone heard it. “Effective immediately: stripped of his rank and banished from the inner territory. He runs with the strays now.” I looked at Kaelen. “Alpha. Any objections?” His lips pressed into a thin line. His jaw was clenched so tight a vein bulged at his temple. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. He’d bitten through his own lip. Behind him, Chloe clutched his arm, trembling all over. Kaelen closed his eyes for a moment. “…Granted.” The word came out through gritted teeth. Beta Hendricks stood frozen. Chloe’s knees buckled. She collapsed against Kaelen, sobbing without a sound. He held her shoulder and lowered his head. But when his eyes lifted to meet mine— Pure hatred and ice cold. Less than two hours after the council ended, every guard outside my quarters was gone. Replaced by Kaelen’s warriors. The marks on their collars bore his initial. I stood by the window, watching them line up in the courtyard. Finley came in with tea, his steps lighter than usual. He set down the cup and gave me a small bow. “Luna. The guards have changed. We’ll need to be more careful from now on.” I glanced at him but said nothing. He backed out quietly. I opened the hidden compartment and spread out the third Blood Decree and the Obsidian Fang on the table. My fingers traced over the fang’s carved surface, inch by inch. Before my mate —the late Alpha died, he had pressed these into my hands. His last words to me— “Keep them. Don’t give them to anyone.” I thought he was being paranoid. That night, an unfamiliar servant walked in carrying a bowl. He set it on the table without so much as a nod. His eyes swept over me with open contempt. “Alpha’s orders. The Luna hasn’t been well. One bowl Every day. No exceptions.” He paused, then lowered his voice. “And if Luna still refuses to hand over the Obsidian Fang… well, the recipe for this tonic might change.”

After the servant left, I picked up the bowl. It smelled faintly sweet. I walked to the window and poured the entire thing onto the ground outside. The liquid splashed against the stone, spreading into a dark stain. Late that night, a soft thud came from the rooftop. A shadow dropped down and knelt before me. One of my hidden scouts. The ones I’d kept outside the territory. “Luna. Something Urgent. Chloe’s cousin intercepted General Marcus’s supply convoy at the border. Thirty thousand pounds of provisions. Not a scrap left.” My grip tightened around the arm of my chair. Marcus—my brother—was stationed at the northern border. Thirty hundred warriors depended on those supplies. Cutting them off was the same as sentencing them to death. The wood cracked beneath my fingers. “Got it.” I sat in the darkness, staring at my hands. He wasn’t just coming for me. He was coming for the whole pack. The next morning. My door was kicked open from the outside. Kaelen strode in, boots echoing against the floor with every step. Chloe followed behind him. Kaelen walked straight to the table and slammed a piece of paper down. “Luna. Read this.” A letter. My brother’s handwriting. The contents accused him of conspiring with enemy packs. Treason. The handwriting was close. But Marcus had an old injury in his right hand. His strokes always hitched at the end. This letter was too smooth. Every line too perfect. It was forged. “Your brother, Marcus has been caught red-handed. Conspiring with rogues. Plotting against the pack.” Kaelen crossed his arms, looking down at me. “Hand over the Obsidian Fang. Maybe I’ll let him die in one piece.” Chloe smiled maliciously. “Luna, I’m only trying to help. Marcus’s bad leg—he got that protecting our Alpha, didn’t he? Such a shame if he dies a traitor.” Years ago, during a rogue attack on the border, Marcus had shielded Kaelen with his own body. Took a blow meant for a boy who was nobody back then. He’d walked with a limp ever since, stationed at the frozen border for seven years. And now they wanted to execute him for treason. Kaelen shifted. His claws extended, gleaming in the low light. He held them inches from my chest. “I only ask once more.” His voice dropped low. “Give me the Fang and the last Blood Decree. Or tonight, I’ll feed Marcus’s remains to the rogues.”

I didn’t back down. I shifted just enough for my claws to extend. In one swift motion, I grabbed Chloe’s wrist and yanked her in front of me. My claws pressed against her throat. Chloe screamed. Kaelen’s eyes went wide. His claws shifted instantly—away from my chest, now aimed at my neck. Three years ago, I took him in during the dead of winter. Now his claws were at my throat. “Kaelen. This is how you repay the one who saved you.” My voice was quiet. Only he could hear. “Fine.” I let go of Chloe. She stumbled and fell, then crawled back to Kaelen’s feet, sobbing. I walked to the hidden compartment and took out an obsidian fang—but not the real one. A replica. One I’d prepared long ago. It sat heavy in my palm. The late Alpha had told me the day he gave me the real one: This is your last safeguard. Now I was going to throw this fake at his feet. I held it up in front of Kaelen. Watched his eyes. It was greedy. I let go. The fang dropped from my hand and hit the stone floor. A piece chipped off the edge. “Take it. And my family doesn’t need your mercy.” Kaelen bent down and picked it up. He turned it over three times, checking every inch. The tension in his face finally eased. A smile crept onto his lips. He grabbed Chloe and walked out without looking back. The moment the door closed, Chloe’s laughter drifted in from outside. I turned and reached into the deepest part of the hidden compartment. My fingertips touched something cold. I pulled it out. The real Obsidian Fang. Black as midnight. Carved with ancient wolf runes. “They think that fang can command the warriors.” I gripped it tight. “They don’t know all pack warriors only answers to this real one.” A hidden passage opened silently. One of my scouts slipped out and knelt at my feet. I placed the fang in his hand. “Get word to my brother. Fake a defeat. Pull back from the border. Bring three hundred warriors. Surround the territory. Cut off every exit. Wait for my signal.” The scout took the fang and vanished without a sound. I stood by the window. The sky had gone dark. Finley hurried in. “Luna. Kaelen used that fang to reassign the border patrols. Every post is now held by his wolves.” I didn’t turn around. “Finley.” “Yes, Luna.” “The third Decree. It’s time everyone knowned what he really is.”

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“Tomorrow morning, I’ll have my mom slip a sedative into Nora’s champagne.” Dominic’s voice came from the hallway outside my room. I froze with my hand on the door. Tomorrow was supposed to be our wedding day. I had loved Dominic Thorne, my childhood sweetheart, for eight years. But now, the man I was supposed to marry was planning how he planned to give me to another man. “After we pick up the bride tomorrow, drive straight to the Astor estate.” “The Astor estate?” his friend asked, confused. Dominic’s voice dropped. “Clair’s family went bankrupt. They owe the Astors hundreds of millions. Her parents are trying to sell her off to the old Astor to settle the debt.” “I can’t just stand by and watch her life get destroyed. Nora will have to take her place.” His friend sounded shocked. “You can’t bear to ruin Clair’s life, so you’ll ruin Nora’s instead?” “The old man is ninety and dying. The family demands a marriage to secure the inheritance. They need a young bride for this.” “When he’s dead, I won’t mind that Nora’s a widow. I’ll still marry her.” “But do you really think Nora will just go along with marrying some old man?” Dominic paused. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll have my mom slip a sedative into Nora’s champagne. By the time she wakes up, she’ll already be in the old man’s bed.” “Once the deed is done, she won’t have a choice.” I stood there listening to every word. I didn’t scream or cry. I just walked back to my room and waited for tomorrow’s wedding. The next morning, Dominic arrived with his groomsmen to pick me up. Clair Kensington showed up with them. The moment she saw me in my wedding dress, she burst into tears. “Nora, I’m so jealous. You get to marry the man you love. You’re so lucky.” “Not like me. My parents want to sell me off to some ninety-year-old man to pay off their debts.” Then she wiped her tears and glanced pointedly at Dominic. “But thank God, someone already took me to register our marriage yesterday. That old man can’t have me now, even if he wants to.” Hearing the smug triumph in her voice, I froze. I thought being forced into a substitute marriage was the worst betrayal. I never imagined Dominic had already registered his marriage with her. My best friend Gemma, oblivious to the truth, whispered angrily in my ear. “Why is she even here? Today is supposed to be your wedding day with Dominic.” “She’s crying on purpose. Is she trying to bring bad luck?” “It’s fine.” I patted Gemma’s hand gently. Today was never my wedding day with Dominic anyway. This whole charade of picking up the bride was just a trap to get me in the car—a carefully planned bait-and-switch. Dominic and his groosmen rushed into the room. “We’re running out of time. Just find the wedding shoes.” His groomsmen searched the room and quickly found my heels. But Dominic didn’t bring them to me. He walked straight to Clair. “Nora, Clair twisted her ankle on the way here and broke her heel.” He knelt down in front of Clair and smoothly helped her change out of her damaged shoe. “Clair has delicate skin. She can’t wear rough, uncomfortable shoes. Let her wear your wedding heels.” Then he pulled a cheap pair of flats from the shoe rack and tossed them at my feet. “They’re just shoes.” He looked at me with that same gentle smile. “You won’t make a fuss over something so small, will you?” “Dominic, those are her wedding shoes!” Gemma couldn’t take it anymore. “So what if they are?” Dominic frowned slightly. “They’re just shoes. What difference does it make?” “It’s not just about the shoes—” “Forget it, Gemma.” I stopped her. “Let her have them.” Clair was the boss’s daughter at Dominic’s company. For the past two years, Dominic had been making me bend over backwards for her with the excuse that “the boss’s daughter can’t be offended.” I’d given her my work projects. I’d given her my pet. I’d given her my clothes and jewelry. And now, I was about to hand over my husband too. Eight years with Dominic Thorne, and this was what I got—a carefully orchestrated betrayal.

Clair slipped on my wedding heels, her face glowing with satisfaction. “Dominic, these fit me perfectly. It’s like they were custom-made for me.” She smiled with that fake sweetness. “Where did you get them?” These shoes were made by Dominic. When he was twenty, he spent six months flying to Paris, working with a top designer to create a pair of custom diamond-encrusted heels just for me. Back then, he’d said, “Nora. When we get married, you’ll wear these shoes. I want to give you a pair of wedding heels that are one of a kind in the entire world.” He’d said, “Nora, I want to give you the best of everything.” Back then, Dominic really was good to me. He couldn’t bear to see me suffer even a little. He wanted to give me everything good in the world. But after Clair appeared, everything changed. Lost in thought, I barely noticed Dominic kneeling down to slip the cheap flats onto my feet. The rough fabric scraped painfully against my skin. The bridesmaids, oblivious to the tension between us, started chanting, “Kiss! Kiss!” Dominic couldn’t resist the cheering and leaned in to kiss me. But at that exact moment, Clair stumbled and fell straight into his arms. Dominic caught her instinctively, and their lips collided perfectly. The room went dead silent. Gemma exploded. “Clair, you did that on purpose!” “I’m sorry, I just lost my balance…” “You lost your balance? And out of everywhere you could fall, you fell right into the groom’s arms?” “Enough. Stop it.” Dominic helped Clair to her feet, his expression displeased. “Clair twisted her ankle earlier. It’s normal that she lost her balance.” He turned to Gemma, his tone cold. “It’s such a small thing. Is it really worth getting this angry over?” “This isn’t a small thing—” Gemma was about to lose it, but I stopped her. Over the past two years, Dominic had called too many things “small.” Last year, when Clair plagiarized the marketing campaign I’d worked on for three months, he said it was a small thing. Six months ago, when Clair crashed our anniversary dinner as a third wheel, he said it was a small thing. Even when Clair accidentally killed my cat, I had raised for six years, he also said it was a small thing. Every single time, Dominic told me not to make a fuss over Clair. This time, there really was no point in making a fuss anymore. While we were at a standoff, Dominic’s mother walked in carrying a champagne flute. “Nora, I’ve been waiting so long for you to grow up and get married.” She lifted the glass to my lips. “Here, drink this quickly while it’s fresh. It’ll calm your nerves. Your future will be bright and beautiful.” Staring at the champagne in front of me, my mind went blank for a moment. My parents died when I was young. For over a decade, the Thorne family took me in and raised me as their own. But now these two people I trusted most were working together to push me into hell. I knew exactly what swallowing this drink meant. But I opened my mouth and drank it anyway. Someone shouted, “It’s time! We need to go to the wedding!” Dominic scooped me up in his arms and carried me downstairs, step by step.

When I was little, Dominic used to carry me like this too. When I was twelve, my parents died in a car accident. The trauma sent me into shock, and I hid myself away for three days without food or water. Dominic was the one who found me. He carried my half-dead body back home. Back then, he held my frail hand and said firmly, “Nora, from now on, my home is your home. My parents are your parents.” “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. I’ll always protect you.” His shoulders were just as warm and solid as they used to be. Except now, they didn’t belong to me anymore. When we reached the lobby, Dominic set me down. “Nora.” He adjusted my veil, his eyes soft and smiling. “I’ll walk you to the car.” But the moment we stepped outside, he stopped at the entrance and gestured toward the limousine waiting at the curb. “Actually, you should go ahead. I need to handle something with the groomsmen first.” Gemma was furious. “What? The groom isn’t even escorting his bride to the car? What kind of wedding is this?” “It’s just a short walk, Gemma. Don’t make a scene.” “Dominic, what’s wrong with you today?” Gemma was shaking with anger. “You’ve been acting strange from the moment you walked in. Did someone brainwash you?” “Gemma.” I grabbed her hand and patted it reassuringly. “It’s fine. I can walk by myself.” Dominic was never my groom to begin with. What right did he have to escort me anywhere? The wedding car was parked just steps away. Once I got in that car, my past with him would be completely over. After I climbed into the back seat, Dominic stood at the door without moving. “Nora.” He stared at me, his eyes filled with an emotion I couldn’t read. Finally, he just said, “Take care of yourself.” Gemma’s tone was sharp. “What are you still standing there for? Get in!” Dominic smiled and pointed to the car behind us. “I’ll ride in the other one. I’ll follow behind and make sure you get there safely.” With that, he slammed the door shut. Gemma frowned, her confusion deepening. “What’s gotten into Dominic today? Why is he acting so weird?” “Nothing’s wrong.” My voice was quiet. “He just wants me to be a substitute bride for Clair.” “Substitute bride?” Before I could answer, Gemma suddenly realized something was off. “Wait—driver, stop!” “You’re going the wrong way! Why are you heading in that direction? Turn around!” “Gemma.” I cut her off. “The driver isn’t going the wrong way. I’m being sent to marry into the Astor family.” “The Astor family?” I told Gemma everything—the whole story from beginning to end. When she finished listening, she was trembling with rage. “That bastard! How could Dominic do this to you? Did a dog eat his conscience?” But I felt calm. “The Thorne family raised me for over a decade. Consider this as repaying that debt.” “They raised you, sure, but you saved Dominic’s life! You’ve already paid them back!” “And these past two years, whenever Dominic’s back pain flared up and he was lying in bed useless like a cripple, you were the one taking care of him every single day!” “You’ve given him so much. What gives him the right to treat you like this?” Gemma was right. If we’re talking about debts, I’d already repaid mine a long time ago. But it didn’t matter anymore. Just then, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Clair. [Nora, today is such a wonderful day. Dominic just gave me a wedding gift. Isn’t it beautiful?] I stared at the antique emerald necklace in the photo, and my blood ran cold. This necklace was the only thing my mother left me before she died. It had been passed down from my great-grandmother’s generation. Back then, I was too young, so Dominic’s mother kept it safe for me. They’d promised to return it when I got married. How could he give it to Clair without my permission? “Stop the car!”

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The wedding was ten days away. I pushed open the fitting room door. Cole Harrison was bent over Sadie Hayes, his fingers working the laces at the back of her wedding dress. The Vera Wang. The one I’d swiped my card for two days ago. Paid in full. The one I was supposed to wear walking down the aisle to him in ten days. The boutique consultant stood off to the side, her face locked in that standard-issue professional smile. She was telling Sadie her shoulders and neckline were absolutely flawless. That this gown looked like it had been made for her. Sadie had walked in with Cole. The staff had probably already decided they were the couple here for the final fitting. I stood in the fitting room doorway. Veil still on. My fingers curled inward, one inch at a time. The photographer I’d brought to capture behind-the-scenes moments had been filming my reveal. Now her phone hung frozen in the air. Like she didn’t know who to point it at anymore. Sadie spotted me through the mirror. Her reaction came a beat late. Her hands flew up to cover the sheer fabric draped across her chest. “Eleanor. Don’t misunderstand.” Her voice was pitched low. Soft. Practiced innocence. “I just thought the dress was so beautiful. I said I wanted to try it on, and Cole said—” “She’s never worn a wedding dress.” Cole straightened up. Finished her sentence. His tone was casual. Like he was explaining why he’d lent the spare key to the neighbors. “Just letting her try it on. It’s not a big deal.” I looked at him. A laugh almost broke through. Last night I’d been up until one in the morning on Zola, cross-checking the final guest list. I’d paid the balance on the gown the afternoon before last. This morning I was still picking fonts for the place cards. And now my fiancé was standing in front of my wedding gown. Fixing the laces for another woman. Tossing me a line about how it was no big deal. I didn’t speak. I walked toward them. The boutique went silent. The sales assistant who’d been holding my gloves took an instinctive step back. Cole glanced at me. Something in my expression must have finally registered. His voice dropped into that tone I knew too well. The one that told me not to make a scene. “She just got back from the West Coast. She’s not in a great place.” “It’s just trying on a dress. Don’t do this here.” I looked straight at him. “Do this? Since when did it become me doing something? The moment you put my wedding dress on her body—that’s when things got ugly.” His brow creased. Sadie bit her lip. Extracting herself. “Eleanor, I really didn’t mean anything by it. I just—” “You meant something.” I cut her off. “If you didn’t mean anything, you wouldn’t have known exactly whose dress this was. And you wouldn’t be standing here letting him fix your train.” The color drained from her face. Cole’s voice hardened. “Eleanor.” “Why are you going after her? She said she just wanted to try it on. Do you have to make this so ugly?” I looked at him. And then I understood. When a heart dies, it doesn’t hurt. It hollows out. So empty you can’t even find the energy to be angry. Not a stabbing pain. Just emptiness. A vast, quiet void. And in that silence, one thought echoed. Clear as a bell. It’s over. *** I reached up and pulled the veil from my hair. The tulle slipped through my fingers. Drifted down into the hands of the sales assistant standing beside me. Everyone froze. Cole’s face finally shifted. “Eleanor. What are you doing?” I ignored him. Looked down at my ring finger. Worked the diamond off. He’d slid that ring onto my hand last month. Said we’d upgrade to something better after the wedding. Turns out in his mind, everything was shareable. The dress. The wedding. Even the dignity of being his fiancée. All available for loan. Anything to comfort someone else. The ring was snug. I twisted it. A red mark bloomed around my knuckle. Cole stepped forward. Reached for me. “Don’t do this.” I sidestepped him. Dropped the ring into the velvet accessory tray. “She wants to try on the wedding dress? Let her marry you.” I lifted my eyes to his. One word at a time. “Find your own groom. Throw your own goddamn wedding. This one was mine.” The silence in the boutique was absolute. You could hear people breathing. The photographer’s phone was still up. The frame trembled slightly. Sadie’s face had gone nearly bloodless. Her voice started shaking. “Eleanor, please don’t be like this. I really wasn’t trying to—” “The problem isn’t whether you were trying to take him, Sadie.” I looked at her. “The problem is he’s already yours. All you have to do is reach for him. His loyalty to me was always rented.” Cole’s expression darkened. “Enough. The wedding is in ten days. You’re pulling this now? Have you thought about the consequences?” That sentence. It snuffed out the last flicker of hope I’d been holding. He knew. He knew exactly how far over the line this was. He’d just assumed I was too deep in—too much money spent, too much effort sunk, too many years invested—to flip the table. He was betting I couldn’t let go. Betting I’d swallow it like I always did. Tell myself to let it go. The wedding was almost here anyway. I nodded. A laugh escaped me. “I’ve thought about it.” “So as of now, the wedding is canceled.” Cole looked like he hadn’t heard me right. “What did you say?” “Canceled.” I turned to the boutique staff. My voice came out so steady it surprised even me. “Pull up the payment records for this gown. The alteration records. The appointment booking information. All of it.” The sales assistants exchanged a glance. Looked at Cole on reflex. I followed their gaze. “What’s the problem?” I asked. “I ordered this dress. I paid for it. Do I not have the right to see my own records?” That landed. The two women looked at each other and immediately went for the iPad and files. Sadie was wobbling now. She clutched the skirt and stepped back. “Cole, I should just take this off—” “Yes. Take it off.” I looked at her. “Now.” Her eyes went red. Like I’d just done something unspeakably cruel to her. I didn’t even have the energy to watch the performance this time. A few minutes later, the staff brought up the system records. Reservation name: Eleanor Vance. Deposit payer: Eleanor Vance. Balance payer: Eleanor Vance. Rush alteration fee payer: Eleanor Vance. I took the iPad. Flipped to the payment page. Held it up in front of Cole’s face. “You see this clearly? I ordered the dress. I paid for it. I scheduled the wedding. You took what was mine to play hero for your high school nostalgia crush. And you wanted me to be gracious about it. Is that right?” Cole’s lips moved. “Eleanor. That’s not what I meant.” “Whether you meant it or not doesn’t matter anymore.” I handed the iPad back to the assistant. Bent down and lifted the train of the gown off the floor. Just enough so I wouldn’t step on it. “As of now, this wedding is on hold.” “The cancellations, the accounting, the liability determinations—I’ll handle every single item. One by one.” “And as for you—” I looked at Sadie. At the wedding dress she still hadn’t managed to take off. My voice went cold. “You want the benefits of someone else’s fiancé? Fine. But don’t use my wedding as your runway.” I turned and walked out. Cole came after me. Grabbed my wrist. His voice was low and tight. “Was this really necessary?” I stopped. Looked back at him. “Cole. You weren’t asking me to calm down today. You were betting I wouldn’t flip the table.” His fingers went rigid. I pulled free. One finger at a time. “Too bad. You bet wrong.”

I walked out of the bridal boutique. The sun outside was blinding. The kind of bright that makes your eyes sting. Maya ran after me. Shoved my phone and bag into my arms. Her voice was still shaking. “Ellie. Are you really calling it off?” I looked down. Pulled the ring box out of my bag. The empty box felt impossibly light. “I’m calling it off. Seven years is enough. No need to throw in the rest of my life too.” I got in the car. Cranked the AC to max. Cold sweat still soaked through the back of my shirt. Maya sat in the passenger seat. She glanced back at me several times. Opened her mouth. Closed it. I knew what she was thinking. Was I being impulsive. The wedding was ten days away. Flipping the table now—the venue, the planner, the invitations, the banquet, the party favors. Every single piece needed to be unwound. And more than that: seven years. Not seven days. Not seven months. Seven years. From the time I was twenty-two. The ride-along years with Cole. From a fresh graduate who had nothing and was nothing. To now. In the beginning, I was the one who got him through the hardest stretches. He caught the flu. Fever spiked to a hundred and four. I was the one who drove him to the ER at two in the morning. When he was grinding through his career change, I was the one balancing my own projects while rewriting his résumé and running mock interviews with him. Later, his career stabilized. The money came. Everyone said my suffering had finally paid off. Only I knew. I wasn’t waiting for someone to hand me a result. I’d taken all those years and genuinely poured them into what I thought was our future together. So even later, when the name Sadie Hayes started flickering at the edges of our relationship, I kept telling myself not to overthink it. Two people who never got together in high school. A shadow left in someone’s heart. Didn’t mean anything real would come of it. On his birthday, a message popped up on his phone. The contact was just a letter. “S.” He said it was an old classmate saying hello. The day she flew back from California, he canceled dinner with my parents at the last minute. Said it was an urgent work thing. Later, I saw Sadie’s Instagram story from the airport pickup. The edge of the frame caught half a shirt cuff. His cuff. I held my phone and stared at it for a long time. I never asked. It wasn’t that I didn’t see. It was that I took every single one of his ambiguities and explained them into something acceptable. Until today. Until he stood in that boutique and fixed the laces on my wedding gown for Sadie Hayes. That was the moment I understood. Some relationships don’t rot overnight. You just kept refusing to admit they’d gone crooked a long time ago. Maya finally couldn’t hold it in. “You want to go home first?” “My place,” I said. “I need to sort out the numbers.” She blinked. “You’re going to do accounting right now?” “If I don’t do it now, you want to wait for him to strike first? Let him spin me as the hysterical bride who lost it right before the wedding?” I unlocked my phone. Pulled up the master wedding budget spreadsheet. I’d built this table with my own hands. The gown. The venue deposit. The planner’s down payment. The party favors. The décor for the new house. The custom rings. The invitation printing. The photographer. Every item was tagged by date and payment account. Clean. Clear. Years of project management had made me good at one thing: taking chaos and breaking it down into executable line items. I used to use that skill to build a life. Now I was going to use it to cut my losses. I highlighted every expense I’d fronted from my personal account in red. Exported the corresponding transfer records and signed contracts into PDFs. One by one. Wedding gown balance: forty-five hundred dollars. Rush alteration fee: six hundred. Venue banquet deposit: ten thousand. Planner down payment: three thousand. Party favors: fifteen hundred. New house décor balance: two thousand. The scattered numbers added up to a sum that went far beyond what any “don’t be like this” could smooth over. Maya stared at the figures and sucked in a breath. “You never squared any of this with him before?” “We talked about it,” I said. “He said let me front it. He’d pay me back when the quarterly bonus hit. Some of it, we just defaulted to me paying. I understood the process better. I could get payments out faster. We’d reconcile everything later.” I laughed at myself when I said it. Reconcile everything later. Turns out in his mind, I was suitable for marriage. Not just because I was stable. Sensible. Good at building a life. But because I could pay. I could cover the gaps. I could manage every headache into neat, tidy order. And all he had to do was show up when required. Keep being the respectable groom-to-be. He used to joke about my Excel sheets. Said they looked like I was executing a merger, not planning a wedding. But he was right. I was managing a project. Only now, it was time to strip this failed project out of my life. Completely.

My phone screen lit up. A text from Cole. “Just calm down first.” The second one came right after. “What happened today isn’t as serious as you think.” The third one was fast. “Sadie just got out of a relationship. She’s in a bad place. I was just looking out for her. Don’t blow this up.” I stared at the words “don’t blow this up.” My fingers went cold at the tips. Even now. He was still fixated on whether this was a big thing or a small thing. Not whether it was wrong. Maya leaned over. Read the screen. Her laugh was pure rage. “He actually has the nerve.” I didn’t reply. A second later, my phone buzzed again. Not a private message this time. Cole had posted in the bridesmaids and groomsmen group chat. The one we’d set up to coordinate wedding logistics. The group had Maya. His best man. A handful of close friends. Cole dropped a message. “Small misunderstanding at the fitting today. Eleanor got a little emotional. The wedding is still on. No need for anyone to overthink it.” I stared at that line for three full seconds. Maya said it flat out. “He’s seizing the narrative.” I made a sound of agreement. Not surprising. Cole’s greatest talent had always been dressing ugly situations up as presentable misunderstandings. He was never afraid of hurting me. He was afraid of other people knowing that ten days before the wedding, he’d used his fiancée’s gown to placate his high school first love. The replies started rolling in fast. “Pre-wedding jitters. Happens to everyone. Cole, just pamper her a little.” “Eleanor’s probably just stressed.” And then Cole’s best friend, Ben, dropped his line. “Bro, you’re at the finish line. Don’t flip the car now.” Almost at the same moment, my mom’s text appeared. “Ellie. Don’t be scared. Take care of yourself first. Dad and I are here.” I looked at the best man’s message. Then at my mom’s. Something hot pressed against the back of my eyes. Some people were afraid their friend might wreck his image. Some people were only afraid I might break. I could see it all now. Who cared about appearances. Who cared about me. I set my phone on my lap. Took a breath. “Maya.” “Yeah?” “The fitting room footage. You were recording, weren’t you?” Maya paused. Nodded. “I was trying to capture you walking out in the dress. Ended up filming Cole fixing Sadie’s laces. It’s not the full thing, but that moment’s in there.” “Send it to me.” She forwarded the raw video immediately. I opened it. The footage was shaky but clear enough. Cole stood behind Sadie. His fingers on the laces at the back of the gown. The movements practiced. Familiar. Agonizing. And the dress. The waistline. The crinoline. The train. Every detail was something I’d confirmed with my own eyes two days ago. This wasn’t a misunderstanding. This was a receipt. I took the boutique payment records screenshot. The wedding expense master sheet. The corresponding bank transfer records. Dragged them all into a single folder. Attached the video. Then I opened a new message in the group chat. Recipients: Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, and Wedding Planning Core Group. I wrote one line. “Cole says it was a misunderstanding. Let’s clear up the misunderstanding. Please see attachments.” Attachment one: Boutique payment records screenshot. Payer: Eleanor Vance. Attachment two: Master wedding expense breakdown. Personally fronted items highlighted in red. Attachment three: Today’s fitting room video. Attachment four: Screenshots of Cole’s three private messages from today. Send. Maya watched me set the phone down. It took her a moment to find her voice. “Ellie…” “He said it was a misunderstanding.” I looked out the window. “I’m just helping him clarify.” The moment the messages went through, the group chat went dead silent. But I knew. The real second half was just beginning.

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In my past life, during my Silvermoon Pack’s Mating Ceremony, I saved a wolf who had been brutally defeated in a territorial dispute. He turned out to be Julian, the Alpha heir of the Crimson Sun Pack. To repay my kindness, Julian returned to his pack and immediately declared me his future Luna. Within a year, I gave birth to a pure-blooded Alpha, a miracle not seen in a century. Julian was ecstatic. When his father stepped down, he officially made me his Luna. I had a mate who was outwardly loyal and a status that was second to none. Meanwhile, my sister, Rosalie, chose Jacob, the fierce Alpha of the Stone Ridge Pack. But she was cast out for her betrayal, tortured and broken, and sent back to us in shame. Our pack believed she had disgraced our name and drove her away. I pitied her, alone and helpless, and brought her to live with me in the Crimson Sun territory. But she grew jealous of my life. She murdered me with silver-laced poison and threw our child from the highest tower to his death. When I open my eyes again, I’m back at the Mating Ceremony. I watch my sister run without hesitation toward the wolf lying half-dead in the woods—Julian. I know instantly. She’s been reborn, too. But she doesn’t know the truth. Saving an Alpha is one thing, but carrying his pure-blooded heir is a living hell. The title of Luna of the Crimson Sun Pack is not so easily won. … To ensure the strength and future of our pack, all young women of the Silvermoon Pack must choose a mate upon coming of age. My sister Rosalie and I were known as the beauties of our pack, and the news of our ceremony drew nearly every eligible male from the neighboring territories to our camp. My mind is a chaotic mess, my head splitting with a pain so intense I want to curl up on the ground and scream. Rosalie is standing beside me, her face glowing with excitement, while one of the pack elders drones on and on. Seeing this familiar scene, my fists clench. I’ve been reborn. I’m back on the day we were meant to choose our mates. Looking at Rosalie’s sweet smile, I can’t stop myself from trembling. If I hadn’t lived through her betrayal, I never would have known the venomous heart that hid behind that beautiful face. In my last life, on our way to the ceremony hall, we found a wolf grievously wounded, his skin seared by silver. My sister, desperate to pick the strongest mate before I could, ran ahead to the hall while I stayed to heal the injured wolf. After she chose Jacob, the Stone Ridge Alpha, she lied, telling everyone I had scorned the ceremony. She dismissed all the remaining males. When I finally arrived, the hall was empty. The elder scolded me for my willfulness and sentenced me to the confinement chamber for reflection. Rosalie was thrilled. I was born with more of the Moon Goddess’s favor, my wolf form more beautiful than hers. I had always outshone her, and the pack members had always preferred me. Now, I was mateless and had angered several packs. It was exactly what she had wanted. Just as our people worried for my future, an envoy from the Crimson Sun Pack arrived with a lavish bride price, asking for my hand on behalf of their Alpha heir. The dying wolf I had saved was Julian. When Rosalie heard the news, her face twisted with rage. Less than a year after my union with Julian, I gave him the pack’s first pure-blooded Alpha in a hundred years. Julian was overjoyed. After his father abdicated, he immediately made me his Luna. The entire Crimson Sun Pack was grateful to me for giving them such a powerful heir. The elders constantly warned Julian to be faithful and never betray me. My glory was infinite. My sister’s fate, however, was tragic. After marrying Jacob, she was exposed for infidelity and sent back to our pack, her body covered in scars. Our people, ashamed of her, exiled her. She wandered the wilds, fighting with rogue Omegas for scraps of food, even suffering their assaults. I took pity on her lonely state. Remembering we were sisters, I brought her to the Crimson Sun Pack. But seeing my noble status, Rosalie’s heart filled with jealousy. She poisoned me when my guard was down and dashed my child to his death. She hated me to the core. The poison she used was an agonizing toxin designed to inflict maximum pain on a werewolf. The memory of my death sends a shiver down my spine, and I subtly edge away from her. My sister glances around anxiously. As we approach the same patch of woods where I saved Julian last time, I don’t make a move. She shoves me aside. “This poor wolf,” she says with a smile. “I have to save him. Clara, you go on to the ceremony hall.” Without a second thought, she begins tending to Julian’s wounds. Seeing this, I understand everything. My sister has been reborn, too. I wait for her, but she impatiently urges me to leave. I turn and walk away without hesitation, leaving her to bask in her dream of becoming the supreme Luna. Rosalie, saving a life is easy. Being a Luna is hard. In your last life, you only saw the power and glory that surrounded me. You never saw the thorns that tore my flesh to ribbons.

I arrive at the ceremony hall to find it packed with males from various packs. Their muscles are bulging, and the air is thick with the scent of testosterone. I don’t try to sabotage Rosalie like she did to me in our last life. Instead, I offer them a graceful curtsy and explain that my sister was delayed but will be along shortly, asking for their patience. They smile and tell me they understand. These male wolves are all eager to find a mate, each one trying desperately to show off their charm. The naive girl I was in my past life would have been swept off her feet. But now, my heart is filled with a bitterness that makes it impossible to smile. My eyes immediately find my sister’s former mate, the Alpha of the Stone Ridge Pack—Jacob. He stands out in the crowd, his presence calm and steady. Jacob isn’t fawning over me like the other males. In fact, he’s standing at a distance. If it weren’t for the flicker of admiration in his eyes when he looks at me, I might have thought he wasn’t interested at all. Just then, my sister Rosalie rushes into the hall, beads of sweat on her forehead. A look of surprise flashes in her eyes when she sees the room is still full. Did she really think I would stoop to her level and seek revenge? Rosalie announces, “I’m sorry, everyone, but I have already given my heart to another. I have decided to be his mate.” A wave of disappointment ripples through the males, but they quickly turn their attention back to me, their enthusiasm renewed. A spark of jealousy flashes in my sister’s eyes. She points to Jacob in the distance. “I think that one looks good enough for my sister. Our mother is gone, so as the elder sister, I’ll make the decision for Clara. I betroth you to him.” Seeing her smug, meaningful smile, I lower my gaze to hide the complex emotions swirling within me. My sister wants me to suffer the same fate she did in her last life. And just like that, with Rosalie’s silver tongue, my marriage to Jacob is decided. The elder is annoyed that she participated in the ceremony despite already having a mate, but he only sentences her to confinement for a few days of reflection. I count the hours, knowing the envoy from the Crimson Sun Pack should be arriving soon. What I don’t expect is that this time, Julian comes to ask for her hand himself. The elder is stunned by the news. Our Silvermoon Pack’s status has long since faded. Even in our prime, we never managed to attract a suitor from a noble bloodline like the Crimson Sun Pack, let alone their direct heir, Julian. The elder bows low, speaking to Julian with the utmost respect. My sister has already been released and now stands beside the elder, gazing at Julian adoringly. “I’ve been waiting for you. The elder even locked me up.” Her words make both the elder and Julian flinch. Julian’s face darkens with anger. “Why would you lock up my future Luna?” Julian has always been domineering. He sees the elder’s action as a direct insult. Seeing Julian’s displeasure, beads of cold sweat form on the elder’s forehead. His lips move, but in the end, he bows his head in defeat. “I accept any punishment, Alpha Heir.” I can’t bear to see this old man who raised us treated so humbly. I step forward. “Your Highness, you misunderstand. My sister participated in the Mating Ceremony even though her heart was already promised to you. The elder was only trying to protect her reputation. Otherwise, the other packs would surely hold it against her.” Julian’s eyes fall on me, and a flicker of surprise and admiration crosses his face. Sensing his interest, Rosalie becomes defensive, quickly linking her arm with his and whining for his attention. Watching my sister’s frivolous display, the elder looks as if he might faint.

At Julian’s forceful insistence, the date for my sister’s union ceremony is set. Then, with a glint in her eye, Rosalie maliciously suggests that I should have my ceremony on the same day. She claims that as sisters, we are very close. Now that she is to become Julian’s Luna, she wants me to share in her good fortune, to let Jacob know that I have a powerful pack backing me. Her words sound so sincere that even Julian’s gaze softens. The elder is hesitant. A union ceremony is the most important day in a wolf’s life. The bride is meant to be the sole focus of attention. It’s unheard of for two brides from the same pack to be wed on the same day. Besides, Rosalie is marrying the noble heir of the Crimson Sun Pack. Her procession and dowry will far outshine mine. He is about to protest, but I place a hand on his arm and smile at my sister. “You’re so good to me, sister.” I feel Julian’s undisguised stare on me, and my smile tightens. Rosalie glares at me and steps in front of him, blocking his view. Jacob arrives with the bride price. Following an ancient tradition, he has personally hunted a rare white stag as a gift. My wedding in the last life was rushed, so I never saw Jacob’s courtship of my sister. But I imagine she must have received this same magnificent gift. Rosalie’s face darkens slightly, annoyed that Jacob would value me so highly. I have to stifle a laugh. She isn’t even his mate in this life, yet she’s still angry over this. What a strange person she is… The elder, weary from the day’s events, retires to rest. The days leading up to the ceremony are pure bliss for me. In my past life, I was married in a hurry and immediately shackled by the endless rules of the Crimson Sun Pack. This time, I get to enjoy the freedom and anticipation a bride-to-be deserves. I take Jacob for walks through the Silvermoon territory, while my sister spends her days clinging to Julian, constantly in his quarters. The day before our ceremonies, the elder summons us both to his room. He first presents a list of parting gifts. “Rosalie,” he says, “your union is a matter of pack honor, but Clara is our child, too. I would like to give her a larger share of the pack’s blessing. Do you think…” Rosalie’s face hardens. She snatches the list from his hand. “No! I’m marrying the heir of the Crimson Sun Pack. I represent the face of the Silvermoon Pack. My parting gift must be bigger, not smaller. My sister is just marrying into the Stone Ridge Pack. She doesn’t need such extravagance.” She scans the list, pulls out the most meager one, and tosses it in front of me. The elder is furious, but I simply thank my sister and pick up the paper. Swallowing his anger, the elder looks at Rosalie with concern. “Our pack hasn’t had a union with the Crimson Sun Pack for a very long time. Though it is a marriage, our status is not equal to theirs. I worry you will be mistreated when you go there, and we will not be able to help you. You must be careful.” Rosalie looks down on him with a sneer. “I know you’re useless. Useless and obsessed with saving face! Of course I won’t be mistreated. You, on the other hand, Clara…” Her eyes are filled with mockery, as if she can already see the miserable fate awaiting me with Jacob. But I want to laugh, too. Does she really think that just because she saved Julian, she can safely birth a pure-blooded heir and become the supreme Luna? An ancient bloodline like the Crimson Sun Pack struggles with heirs for a reason. Their Alpha blood is so potent, so aggressive, that an ordinary female body cannot withstand it. Carrying a pure-blooded heir is the highest honor, but for every day that child is in the womb, it drains the mother’s life force, torturing her day and night. If the mother weakens, the Crimson Sun Pack will sacrifice her without a second thought to save their precious heir. They only show concern for the mother if she herself possesses an equally powerful bloodline. I was lucky in my past life. I stumbled upon a Moonpetal Flower before I knew I was pregnant. Without it, I would have been sacrificed, too. But Rosalie doesn’t know that. She’s still lost in her beautiful dream, and I have no intention of waking her. She looks at me and says, “Clara, Jacob is a violent man. Don’t expect the pack to stand up for you. You’ll just have to endure it. I was going to help you, but you shouldn’t have tried to seduce my Julian.” The moment the words leave her mouth, Jacob kicks the door open, his eyes blazing with fury as he stares at my sister. Rosalie flinches. Then she sees Julian standing behind Jacob, and her face lights up. She runs to Julian’s side and clings to his arm. Julian ignores her. He looks at me, a playful glint in his eyes. “The Alpha of Stone Ridge is violent? Why don’t you marry me too, Clara? I can give you and Rosalie equal status. You two sisters can serve me together.” At his words, my sister’s face turns deathly pale.

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My Alpha mate, Kayden, promised he would only visit his unstable childhood sweetheart, Clara, ninety-nine times. But when I had finally placed the ninety-ninth bean in the jar, I saw him holding Clara in a tight embrace. I stopped crying and begging him not to go to her after that. I simply asked him for a guardian sigil for a wolf pup, a gift for our coming child. The mention of our child softened his expression. “Wait for me to get back. I’ll go with you to the pack infirmary for the prenatal check-up.” I obediently hummed in agreement. I didn’t tell him that ten days ago, I had already submitted an application to the Pack Elders to sever our mate bond. According to the laws of the pack, we were no longer mates. … Ten days after submitting my application, I ran into Kayden in the hallway of the pack infirmary. He was carefully supporting Clara, treating her like a rare treasure. But the moment he saw me, Kayden’s brow furrowed. “What are you doing here? Are you trying to cause trouble for Clara again?” He watched me with a guarded look, the chill in his eyes piercing my heart. Clara clung to Kayden’s arm and looked at me apologetically. “Ava, don’t misunderstand. Kayden is just worried about me.” Then, her eyes drifted down to my stomach. “I heard you were admitted to the infirmary too. Is the baby okay?” Before I could answer, Kayden rushed to comfort her. “It’s probably just emotional stress affecting the pregnancy. It’ll be fine.” “Don’t overthink it. The most important thing is for you to take care of yourself.” I subconsciously touched my belly, a bitter taste filling my mouth. Right, how could anything be wrong? It’s just that our little pup… was already gone. How could that possibly be more important than Clara’s health? Otherwise, why wouldn’t Kayden have visited me even once, despite knowing I was in the very same infirmary? If he had just bothered to look in on my room, even for a moment, he would have known. Our child, the one destined to inherit the Alpha title, was gone. I forced a smile and my hand found the glass jar in my pocket, warmed by my body heat. Ever since Clara returned, Kayden would disappear every few days to be with her. He said: “Clara has always been sensitive, and now her mental state is fragile. If I’m not with her, what if she hurts herself?” “Don’t worry, I just don’t want her to do something stupid. I don’t have any other feelings for her.” He promised me he would only stay with Clara ninety-nine times. After the ninety-ninth time, he would return to our family for good, fulfilling his duties as my Alpha mate. So every time he left, I would place a single bean in a glass jar. Seven days ago, I finally put in the ninety-ninth bean. But when I went to find him, full of hope, I saw Kayden holding Clara tightly in his arms. I was his Luna, his wife. Yet in that moment, I could only stand on the street corner, a spectator to his tender moment with another woman. “What are you two doing?” I walked toward them, my eyes red, my voice trembling with heartbreak. Kayden released Clara as if he’d been shocked, his eyes filled with panic. “Ava, don’t misunderstand. It’s not what you think.” I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, Clara cut in. “It’s all my fault. I’m bothering you two, I’m so sorry.” “Kayden, just leave me alone from now on. Let me just go die somewhere.” With that, she darted into the street and was clipped by a speeding pickup truck. Kayden’s face went pale. He violently shoved me aside and rushed to cradle Clara in his arms. I didn’t have time to react. The force of his push sent me crashing to the ground. A sharp, dull pain shot through my abdomen. I reached down with a trembling hand and it came back covered in sticky, red blood. “My baby… my baby… my pup…” “Kayden, my Alpha!” I clutched my stomach, desperately calling his name, praying he would just look back at me. Kayden paused for a second and turned his head, but his eyes were filled with hatred. “Ava! You know Clara is unstable, so why would you provoke her!” “If anything happens to Clara, I will never forgive you!” “Let this be a lesson to you. Stay the hell away from her from now on!” Then, he lifted Clara into his Ford SUV and sped away. In the end, it was a kind stranger who couldn’t bear to watch any longer who took me to the hospital. The doctor told me I had lost the baby. Lying in that hospital bed, replaying the image of Kayden leaving me, my vision blurred with tears. Kayden Blackwood, I promise you. From this day on, I will never go near you again. You are free. My thoughts returned to the present. Kayden seemed oblivious to my pale face, simply reminding me in a flat tone: “If there’s nothing else, go back to your room. As a member of this pack, be considerate and don’t take up unnecessary medical resources.” I nodded. “Okay.” Kayden continued, “I have to stay with Clara for the next few days. Don’t come looking for me unless it’s an emergency.” I nodded again. “Okay.” Perhaps my calm reaction was too much for him, because Kayden actually paused.

He let go of Clara and took two steps toward me. “Are you… feeling okay?” “Once Clara’s emotions have stabilized, I’ll schedule a proper prenatal check-up for you.” I just grunted in response, pretending not to see the venomous glare Clara shot my way. As I walked past him, I caught his scent. A faint fragrance of wild jasmine. It was the essential oil Clara always used. Kayden must have held Clara in his arms quite a lot during these days in the infirmary. Otherwise, how could this scent that wasn’t mine have soaked so deeply into his clothes and skin? When I got home, my next-door neighbor, Maria, was just heading out. She jumped when she saw how pale I was. “Oh heavens, Ava, why do you look so pale?” “Did something happen? Your scent… it’s filled with sorrow.” I managed a weak smile, but my eyes welled up with tears. So, I really did look that awful. So, other people could see that something was wrong with me. But my Alpha, my mate, how could he be so blind? It had been seven days. Even a single word of concern… would have been enough. Seeing that I wasn’t talking, Maria didn’t press further. She just gently helped me inside and sat me down. That evening, Maria brought over a large bowl of rich beef stew. “Ava, you’re already frail, and now you’re carrying a pup. You need to build up your strength.” Maria’s husband was the captain of the pack’s sentinels. With many children, their family wasn’t wealthy. This stew was a precious gift from them. After thanking Maria, I sat at the dining table, lost in thought for a long time. I couldn’t understand. Why could an ordinary pack member show me such kindness, while my own husband, the Alpha of our pack, could cast me aside again and again? This union, witnessed by the Moon Goddess herself, felt like a joke. With a sigh, I carefully lifted the bowl to my lips. Just as I was about to take a sip, the courtyard gate was pushed open. “Ava, I’m back.” Kayden walked in, carrying a few changes of clothes. I looked at him, surprised. “Why are you back? Don’t you need to be with Clara?” Kayden set the clothes down and replied casually, “The doctor said Clara’s condition has stabilized, but I’m still worried. I’m having her stay a few more days for observation.” “So, I came back to grab some essentials.” I hummed in acknowledgment, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d said that morning. “Be considerate and don’t take up unnecessary medical resources.” It seemed that when it came to Clara, all the rules were different. I think my heart had truly died, because I didn’t even have the energy to argue. I lowered my eyes, about to drink my soup, when Kayden, who had finished packing, suddenly spoke up. “Did you make beef stew?” “Don’t drink it yet. Clara is weak, this will be perfect for her recovery.” My hand froze, the bowl still in my grasp. I stared at him, stunned. “Maria made this specifically for me.” Kayden acted as if he hadn’t heard me, already pulling a thermos from the cabinet. “I know your body. It doesn’t matter if you drink this or not.” “Let Clara have it this time. Next time, I’ll take you to the best restaurant in town.” Those familiar words brought back a flood of memories. “Ava, I’m giving the first choice at the Hunting Festival to Clara this time. I’ll make it up to you next time.” “Ava, don’t go to the Moonlight Gala. Give your spot to Clara. I’ll invite you to the next event.” “Ava, Clara wants to meet my inner circle. You should skip the Beta and Gamma gathering this time. I’ll bring you next time.” “Ava…” So many next times. So many I couldn’t even count them all. While I was lost in my daze, Kayden had already poured the beef stew into the thermos. He offered a dismissive word of concern. “I’m heading out. Take care of yourself at home.” He turned to leave, and the corner of his jacket brushed against the soup bowl on the table. CRASH! The bowl hit the floor, shattering into pieces, just like my heart. “Kayden.” I called out to him and pulled the glass jar with the ninety-nine beans from my pocket. “Ninety-nine beans. Count them.” Kayden’s back went rigid. He turned around, his face a mask of shock. “Is it… really time?” I nodded. “It is.” Kayden set down the thermos, his expression troubled. I didn’t say a word, just quietly waited for his answer. It was just as I expected. After only a moment’s hesitation, Kayden spoke. “Ava, Clara can’t be left alone right now…” A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes, but he continued anyway. “Our promise… let’s just call it off.” I lowered my gaze and let out a soft sigh. “Okay.” Kayden was stunned. He couldn’t believe I had agreed so easily. He rushed over and hugged me. “Ava, you’re so understanding.” “Don’t worry, as soon as Clara is fully recovered, I promise I’ll spend all my time with you.” I just hummed, and made a single request. “Our child will be born soon. I want a guardian sigil.” At the mention of the child, Kayden’s expression softened even more.

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I’m Tess Powell. When Nathaniel kicked open the cabin door, I was dancing passionately with a male model in a scarlet bikini. I swayed in the ambiguous music and lighting, like a fire burning recklessly, scorching the eyes of the onlookers. “My God… This is really something.” Daniel Robert, usually cheerful and talkative, suddenly stopped in his tracks, his cheeks burning red. He was too shy to look in my direction. Nathaniel stood beside him. He was still with that indifferent demeanor, as if he was above the mundane world, but his eyes darkened slightly as they swept over me. “Tess, are you done?” He strode forward in a few steps, turned off the noisy music, and threw a thick blanket over me. But I ignored it, instead laughing and pulling the male model in front of me, nuzzling close to him. “Don’t mind him… Let’s continue.” The male model smirked, pulling me closer in a deliberate embrace, his tousled hair brushing against my neck—too intimate for comfort. But that only lasted barely a second. Nathaniel had already reached out and yanked me away with such force that I nearly stumbled to the ground. “Tess!” He finally lost his temper. “Fooling around with male models, do you even remember what day it is today?” “Of course I do!” For a heartbeat, I froze. Then my hand flew across his cheek. The echo hung between us, drowned only by the silent rush of my own tears. “You don’t own me, Nathaniel. And you sure as hell don’t get to mention my mother!” My mother had treated Nathaniel as her own—pulling strings, pouring resources into him, all to secure his place as the Wilde heir. Yet what did he do to repay her? He had fallen in love with the cheater’s daughter! Among all those people, he had fallen in love with Harriet! Today was my mother’s funeral, and he was the last person in the world who had the right to lecture me! Daniel hesitated and stepped forward. “Actually, the funeral today was all arranged by Nat…” “Tess,” Nathaniel coldly interrupted him. His face—the one I’d loved for twenty years—betrayed nothing. Those glacial blue eyes fixed on me as he spoke, each word a calculated twist of the knife, “Or have you forgotten? Your theatrics at the Wilde estate got your mother killed. This is your doing.”

I stopped abruptly. My swollen eyes were fixed on his face, but something inside me shattered noisily, piercing through me, making it hard to breathe. Yes, it was because I couldn’t bear the thought of him marrying Harriet. It was my arrogance. I failed to see that the Wilde family’s power was far above mine now, and Nathaniel was no longer the illegitimate son who used to be bullied and needed my protection. I was foolish to go to the Wilde family and reveal that ridiculous photo, shouting that Harriet’s mother, Lilith Dorothy, was a shameless mistress. And in my madness, when Nathaniel scolded me, I revealed the fact that his mother had also risen from being a maid. So the royal Mr. Wilde was truly enraged. He suppressed the news and had me expelled from the Wilde family. To make me pay, he retaliated by cropping his face out of the original photo and releasing only my wanton appearance to the public. The entire city was free to scrutinize my demeanor in bed. Even my infatuation with Nathaniel over the past twenty years had become a joke. “Look, the lady of the Powell family is a promiscuous slut.” “Her mother couldn’t compete with Harriet’s mother, and neither could she with Harriet in Nathaniel’s eyes.” Everyone said so. That was why my mother, always proud and radiant, resolutely leaped from the villa in front of me, landing in a pool of blood. Before she died, my mother, tormented by depression, had a moment of clarity. She took my hand, her gaze clear yet sorrowful. “Tess, the way you chase after Nathaniel is just like how I pursued your father back then. We chase so hard that we lose sight of ourselves. It will cost our lives.” “Find more men. You’ll see that love is nothing special.” So on the day of my mother’s funeral, I skipped it and instead hired a boatload of male models on a cruise. It was finally my turn to say to Nathaniel, “So what?” I smiled brightly, but my nails dug into my palms. “We’re just childhood friends. You’re crossing the line here, buddy. Don’t you think?”

Nathaniel’s gaze locked onto me with terrifying focus. After a brief pause, he said indifferently, “Harriet is waiting for you.” At the sound of the name, something inside me fractured audibly, like glass giving way under pressure. I thought I had let go. After twenty years of entangled love and hate, he easily defeated me with one name. “Good for you, Nathaniel.” I muttered softly. No one knew how to hurt you more than a childhood friend. He ordered someone to drag me into the car. Before I left, I saw the male model’s light-colored eyes. Daniel whispered in my ear, “I know you’re upset. But today is your mom’s funeral. You should be there.” He glanced at Nathaniel, who was dozing off across from us, and hesitated to continue. “Don’t be angry. Nathaniel has been hosting the funeral. He still…” His words trailed off. I got it. Did he still care about me? Or was he still grateful for my mother’s protection in the past? Neither seemed to hold up. The moment my mother jumped, whatever had been between us twisted into a noose. With my back against the seat, I traced the slow, gentle arc of the small clay pendant in the rearview mirror, swaying to the car’s unhurried motion. *** Daniel, Nathaniel, and I had been friends since kindergarten. But Nathaniel had always kept only photos of him and me, and the passenger seat was always reserved for me. I had mistaken that tiny sense of “specialness” for favoritism and chased after him like a moth to a flame. But now, the photos of us together had been replaced by a pendant made by Harriet, and the passenger seat was piled with a pink blanket that didn’t fit there. Harriet’s traces were everywhere. Hosting the funeral? I sneered, feeling the bitterness spreading in my throat. It was probably just to impress Marcus Powell, my father, and Harriet’s stepfather, so he could marry Harriet sooner.

When the car arrived at Powell Manor, I got out without hesitation. My mother’s funeral had just ended, yet the living room had already been completely transformed. Even the family portrait of the three of us had been replaced with a wedding photo of Marcus and the maid. My mother hadn’t rested in peace yet, and he was already eager to bring a second wife into the house. “Tess, you brat, where have you been all day?” “Skipping your own mother’s funeral? Do you still have any regard for this family?” Marcus slammed his hand on the table in anger as soon as he saw me, his face flushed with rage. Beside him, the maid, now dressed as a wealthy lady, Lilith, soothingly spoke in a gentle tone, though a flicker of contempt flashed in her eyes. “Marcus, Tess is just too heartbroken to face the funeral.” “She’s still young. Don’t be so angry.” “Indeed, Mr. Powell. Ms. Powell must be very upset,” Harriet said, standing demurely beside them in a white dress. Marcus sat back under Lilith’s influence and snorted coldly, “If she were half as sensible as Harriet, her mother wouldn’t have died of anger!” I looked up sharply at this family of three, their clumsy act, and suddenly laughed. “Stop pretending! If you hadn’t sunk to sleeping together without shame, my mother wouldn’t have been overwhelmed by depression and ended her life!” “Tess Powell!” Marcus warned sternly. Lilith’s face turned pale. “It’s my fault. I failed the madam, but Marcus and I are truly…” Before she could finish, I lunged forward, grabbed her hair, and, in a scream, slammed her down in front of my mother’s portrait. “My mother only took you in because you had nowhere to go! But you repaid her by screwing with my dad?” “You know what? If you really feel so sorry, why don’t you just end your life as well?” Marcus roared at me to let go. Harriet also threw herself at me, crying while pulling at me. “Ms. Powell, let go. Mrs. Powell only died because you pissed her off. You can’t blame my mom for that.” Before she could finish, I picked up the riding crop beside me and lashed it directly across her mouth. She was so good at distorting the truth. “How dare you hit me! Nate will never let you go!” Harriet screamed, covering her mouth, her eyes venomous. I laughed unrestrainedly. “Not pretending now?” “You look better this way, you know?” “You witch, are you trying to give me a heart attack?” Marcus clutched his chest in fury as the servants rushed forward anxiously. “What good does your madness do? Your mom is gone, and it’s all your fault! No one in this family welcomes you!” Harriet shouted shrilly, her eyes red. I raised the whip again, but my arm was fiercely grabbed, the grip so tight it almost crushed my bones. “Tess! How dare you hurt her!” Nathaniel stood behind me, his eyes blazing with rage. I didn’t budge, but my hand, holding the whip, trembled for a moment. “Didn’t you hear what she said? Doesn’t she deserve it?” “I heard it.” Nathaniel let go of my hand, his voice calm. “So what?” My heart skipped a beat, and threads of pain slowly exploded. I stared at Nathaniel, dumbfounded. He knew! He had always known that Harriet was two-faced, that she coveted my place in the Powell family, and that I was struggling under this roof. Yet he still chose to stand by her. “Nate!” Harriet cried, throwing herself into his arms. “She hit my mom and whipped me like this!” Nathaniel held her, his voice as cold as ice, his gaze on me. “Is that so? Then I’ll whip her a hundred times to make her atone for you. How do you like that?” “Nathaniel, don’t you dare!” I glared at him, my eyes red. Nathaniel held my gaze with quiet calm, his stare fixed on me briefly before he motioned for his bodyguard to force me to the ground. In front of Marcus, Lilith, and Harriet, he mercilessly whipped me until I was covered in blood. As pain consumed me and blood poured from my mouth, I heard unmistakably the sound of my heart caving in within. Twenty years of affection and the last bit of care. All shattered into dust at that moment. I lost count of how many lashes I endured before I finally fainted in desperation. In a daze, I sank into a familiar embrace, the faint scent of iris from Nathaniel wrapping gently around me. “Tess! Call the doctor!” I had rarely heard him shout so frantically. Pity it only happened after he had me beaten till I coughed blood. Yet, it was after he ordered me to be beaten until I coughed up blood. Summoning my final strength, I wrenched myself from his arms, preferring the hard ground to his embrace. “Nathaniel, you’re fucking disgusting.”

Ignoring my words, Nathaniel still rushed me to the hospital overnight for proper treatment. But the next day, the company I had secretly established was reported, and every file was sent straight to Marcus. Overnight, the alliances I’d painstakingly forged collapsed and turned on me. Even the photos of the male models I had summoned on the day of the funeral were spread around indiscriminately. It was obvious these actions were intended to ruin me completely. Marcus even publicly declared that he wanted to cut ties with me. Out of choice, I had to humble myself and seek help through intermediaries. I, once the pampered Ms. Powell, still bearing whip wounds, now humbly begged for help from the second-gen followers who used to follow in my shadow. “Tess, it’s not that we don’t want to help.” Bart Nell, said with a troubled expression, but his gaze lingered on my pallor and the fresh wounds on my neck. “It’s just that you’ve offended Nathaniel… None of us can afford the price.” He handed me a glass of amber liquor, his eyes gleaming with a familiar predatory desire. “But if you’re willing to join us for a drink and a gathering tonight… we may give it a second thought.” I knew all too well what “join us for a drink and a gathering” meant. A quid pro quo of power and sex, the most popular and dirtiest trick in the circle. Once an indifferent bystander, I had become the one on the chopping block. I had no way to escape. “Bart, I didn’t ask you here to do this to her!” Daniel’s face twisted with anger as he tried to intervene, but he was overpowered by Bart, whose family background outranked his. “You can’t expect us to take risks and help without her showing any sincerity,” someone sneered, shooting me a menacing look that sent chills down my spine. “Besides, everyone knows Tess’s wild side. She’s got a whole crew of male models. A few more of us won’t hurt.” They closed in, step by step, like predators after a power shift, holding their wine glasses. Humiliation drained the color from my face, and a sour, salty bitterness climbed my throat, threatening to suffocate me. “Quite the party, isn’t it?” Nathaniel’s voice suddenly rang in my ear. “Shame I wasn’t invited.”

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Three years after I died, nothing grew around the estate where I’d lived. Anyone who got too close ended up seriously sick within days. People said I was a curse that would last forever. The rumors spread like crazy, and eventually, the media tracked down Winslet Hayes. She caved under the public pressure and brought in a medium to perform a ritual at the estate and stop me from causing more trouble. When they arrived, the place looked expensive but completely dead. Only cold wind cut through the empty rooms. She quickly pulled Leander Blackwell behind her and rolled her eyes. “That bastard Matthias. Can’t even stay quiet when he’s dead. Should’ve dumped him on some island in the middle of nowhere and let him rot.” But she doesn’t know this—my ghost is standing right beside her, watching her every move. My cursed body is trapped in the ground under her feet, rotting beneath the soil. *** The house that trapped me for three years sits there dark and empty. It’s noon right now, but sunlight can’t get inside. The whole place just feels wrong and makes your skin crawl. The medium Winslet brought, along with her apprentice, looks around the property. Their frowns just keep getting deeper. “There’s way too much resentment here. This is gonna be tough to fix.” The medium remains silent for a moment before finally speaking, “We need to find the body first. Then we’ll use a blade made from a cursed gemstone to grind the bones into dust. That’s the only way we might be able to get rid of this energy.” The method sounds horrible and completely inhumane. Even this medium, who’s seen death plenty of times, struggles to say it out loud. But Winslet doesn’t even hesitate. She immediately orders someone to find cursed gem right away and tells the best craftsman to forge it into a blade as fast as possible. Then she leads everyone toward my grave. “Leander’s been having nightmares every single night. That bastard’s definitely behind it. So what if we dig up his grave and crush his bones? He deserves it.” They buried me in a rush, and it takes the group some time to even locate my grave. When they finally find my tombstone, waist-high grass surrounds it, wild and overgrown. The stone has toppled over long ago, its surface webbed with cracks. The ground is uneven, so Winslet has someone move the tombstone right under Leander’s feet, creating a level surface for him. Then she calls over two workers to dig up my grave. They only dig down about three to five feet before they hit a broken, rotting coffin. Everyone in town knows Winslet is coming here today to do an exorcism, and a bunch of people from the neighborhood show up to watch. They all think I’m the reason their lives have been so messed up. “You worthless bastard! Even death couldn’t make you behave!” An old man rushes up and spits at my grave. “They should’ve just thrown you in a ditch and left you to rot!” Another person steps forward and kicks the coffin hard. “Ms. Hayes was so good to you when you were alive, but you didn’t appreciate it. Now you’re dead, and you’re still causing trouble every day. How can someone be such garbage?” Yeah, everyone in Ridgemont knows Winslet “loved” me the most. Winslet waves her hand and tells everyone to back off. She’s about to signal the two workers to pry open the coffin lid when someone suddenly hugs her from behind. “Winslet, Matthias was still my brother,” Leander sighs. “Whatever he did wrong, I’ve already forgiven him. Can we just let him rest in peace?” Winslet wraps her arm around Leander’s waist and pats his back like she’s trying to comfort him. “Honey, you’re way too good to him. He stabbed you in the back, remember? Did you forget all those nights you woke up screaming from nightmares? I had him confined to this estate years ago, and I can kick him out today, too!” Leander nods, but cold sweat breaks out across his forehead. His anxiety is showing. The medium places a talisman on my coffin and tells her apprentice to open it up. The workers fear the dead too much to curse at the coffin like the others. They carefully break open each lock. After a whole lot of clanging and banging, the workers finally lift the coffin lid. But what’s inside isn’t my rotting, stinking body like they all expected. Instead, the entire coffin is filled with blood-soaked medals. Everyone just stares at all those medals in confusion. Only the medium steps forward and picks one up. The medal has tons of scratches all over it, and the blood has turned black with time. The medium searches through the coffin for a while, and then she suddenly says, “This is a dark ritual.” She pulls a pendant from beneath the medals. The gem is dark green, nearly black, with intricate patterns carved into its surface. Winslet lets out a mocking laugh. “How twisted. He died but he still left behind a ritual to mess with Leander’s sleep. We need to figure out what the hell he was trying to do.” The medium pulls out her dowsing rod, and the tip points straight at the house. The house is filled with extremely malicious energy, so the followers set up a protective circle outside before anyone goes in. Once they’re inside, the dowsing rod completely stops working. It just starts spinning like crazy and won’t stop. The medium tells everyone to search the house for my personal belongings, but they were all cleared out and burned the day after I died. Nothing of mine remains. The moment Leander steps into the house, cold sweat breaks out across his skin. He wants nothing more than to grab Winslet and leave. “Winslet, can we go? Please? I feel really sick.” Leander holds Winslet’s hand, but he can’t stop shaking. Winslet immediately tries to leave with Leander, but the medium nervously blocks their way. “Ms. Hayes, you can’t leave! To break this curse, the person who was closest to the deceased has to stay. If you leave now, the ghost will become way stronger!” No one’s ever dared defy Winslet, and now this medium actually has the nerve to stop her? Still, this woman is from the most prestigious spiritual order in the country, so Winslet can’t touch her. She forces herself to swallow her anger. Then she waves one hand sharply. An antique vase in the center of the hall topples over. The vase shatters on impact, and a notebook falls out from inside. Winslet picks it up and flips through it. There’s nothing written inside, which makes her even angrier. She’s about to rip the blank notebook to shreds when the medium snatches it away. Winslet glares at the medium like she wants to tear her apart. The medium ignores Winslet and starts chanting over the blank notebook. The apprentice came back empty-handed, but when she sees her teacher chanting over a notebook, she and the others form a circle and join in the chanting. The blank notebook slowly begins to show signs of use. “It’s the deceased’s diary!” “Read it!” Winslet’s expression darkens. “I want to see what kind of tricks you’ve got up your sleeve. And I want to know how that piece of trash Matthias even learned about this dark magic!” The medium opens the first page.

The medium begins reading from the diary. “Today is my twentieth birthday. Winslet came over to celebrate with me, and I’m so happy.” “But my brother Leander kept getting between us the whole time. He wouldn’t let me talk to her, and he kept hanging all over Winslet on purpose. It made me kind of upset.” “Maybe I’m just overthinking it. My brother would never treat me badly. I keep thinking about the day they found him and brought him home. Mom and Dad held him and cried so hard. I stood off to the side and promised myself I’d protect him too.” “But after that day, it felt like Mom and Dad didn’t love me anymore. They could only see him.” “Later, I went to the police academy, and Mom and Dad completely stopped loving me. Even when I burned my hand trying to make them breakfast, they just looked at me coldly and told someone to throw the food away.” “But my brother could bring home some cheap souvenir from vacation, and they’d treasure it like gold. They’d carry it everywhere and brag about it to anyone who’d listen.” “Still, he deserves all that love. My brother was missing for ten years, away from our parents for ten years. They can’t make up for it enough.” “At least I have Winslet. She’ll always be by my side.” The medium’s voice stays flat and emotionless, but it still makes me feel like I can’t breathe. Back then, I never imagined that one day Winslet would leave me too. After that, nobody in the world loved me. One day after we got married, Leander hurt himself doing extreme sports. He really loved that stuff. Mom and Dad told me I had to donate my right kidney to him. It was the worst possible timing. The police department was doing retention evaluations right then, and joining the force was my dream. A surgery that big meant I’d need months to recover, and I’d miss my only chance to make my dream come true. I didn’t want to do it. But my parents kept pushing me. Sometimes they’d beg, sometimes they’d threaten. They wouldn’t let it go. In the end though, it was Winslet who tied me down to the operating table. It was actually Winslet who did it. When she hears this part, Winslet gets even angrier. She grits her teeth and says, “He cheated on me first, and now he’s acting like he was so devoted? He’s got some nerve! Leander and his parents were so good to him. How could he say shit like this?” Leander lets out a small sigh of relief from his corner. He walks over to Winslet and puts his arm around her waist. “Don’t be mad, Winslet. He just got confused for a while. If… if they never found me back then, maybe Matthias wouldn’t have ended up like this…” As Leander says this, his eyes fill with tears. Winslet was already furious, and this makes her even angrier. She wipes away his tears and says angrily, “How is any of this your fault? You didn’t do anything wrong. Stop making excuses for him. This is all Matthias’s fault, that piece of trash!” Everyone watching has never even met me, but they all nod along, just as angry. The medium senses something off and keeps reading. “There’s a thunderstorm outside, and my side of the bed is empty. Winslet went to stay with Leander again.” “Ever since we got married, she keeps going over to his place. Every time she tells me not to misunderstand.” “Today the weather is terrible with thunder and strong winds. She’s always been terrified of storms, so I’m really worried about her. But when I tried to talk to her about it, she acted like it was no big deal.” “To stop me from following her, she locked me in my room. Then she left to see Leander. Leander called her and said he was scared of the thunder.” “Winslet, did you ever think that Mom and Dad might be there with Leander, but I’m here all alone?” “Today is October third. I don’t usually write down dates, but I’ll never forget this one. I can never be a cop now.” “Someone hit me, a car accident. They wanted to take me to the hospital, but Winslet wouldn’t let them.” “She said I was just using this as an excuse to go see some doctor. She keeps saying I betrayed her, but I don’t even know which doctor she’s talking about. She locked me in my room and wouldn’t let anyone treat my injuries.” “Twenty-four hours later, a family doctor finally came. The delayed treatment left my leg permanently damaged.” “I worked so hard for the police academy entrance exam, but now, none of that matters. How can someone who can’t even stand up become a cop?” “Winslet, you used to say you loved how dedicated I was to serving my country and the people. You said you’d always support me. But today, you clipped an angel’s wings with your own hands.”

I watch Winslet’s face, hoping to see even a little bit of nostalgia for what we used to have. That would at least prove she had real feelings for me once. But instead, she just grabs something nearby and throws it. “The proof you cheated is right there in front of us, and you still want to deny it? You’re absolutely shameless! Keep reading! Let’s hear what other bullshit he has to say!” The medium glances at Winslet, then continues reading. “My leg is broken, and I need to recover. But Winslet hasn’t come to see me once while I’ve been recovering. I’ve tried calling her but she won’t pick up.” “My parents did come by though. I thought they were here to check on me, but they just wanted to tell me to stop calling Winslet.” “They said Leander failed his police academy application again. He’s really upset about it, and Winslet is keeping him company while he clears his head. They begged me not to bother Leander. They said Leander had never asked for anything his whole life and wanted me to let him have it this time.” “My parents knelt in front of me and begged. It hurt so much to see them like that. They’re my parents, but here they are on their knees acting like they’re nothing.” “But I couldn’t say yes to them. My whole life, Leander took everything from me. First it was my toys, then my dreams, and then even my parents’ attention. Now he wants to take Winslet too, the only thing I have left.” “When I didn’t answer, my parents cried even harder. They were about to start banging their heads to the ground when I finally nodded. It felt like someone was stabbing my heart.” “Winslet still pulled some strings and got Leander into the police academy like he wanted. That was fine. Everything would’ve been fine if I hadn’t seen that entertainment news segment.” “On TV, a reporter asked Winslet if she and Mr. Blackwell were getting married soon. They didn’t say his name, but everyone knew they meant Leander standing next to Winslet. And Winslet and I were already married.” “Winslet just smiled and didn’t deny it. The media took that as a yes. I didn’t understand. I felt so hurt. Another reporter asked if Winslet had pulled strings to get Leander into the police academy.” “Winslet said no. She said the spot at the academy was supposed to be Leander’s all along, and that I stole it from him.” “My hands were shaking when I turned off the TV. I couldn’t listen anymore. Everything was gone. Even Winslet left me.” “In the end, they took away the one thing I was proud of, the dream that gave my life meaning. I looked down at my useless legs and cried.” After everyone hears those diary entries, they all go quiet. Only Winslet speaks up, her voice cold. “Still pretending? Aren’t you tired? Is it really that hard to admit you were having an affair?” Leander puts his arm around Winslet and rubs her back. “Winslet, Matthias was just upset because he couldn’t be a cop anymore. He was just saying things he didn’t mean. Don’t take it personally.” I watch the two of them being all lovey-dovey. The way they look at each other is so intense. I let out a quiet sigh. I remember when Winslet and I first got married. We were that sweet with each other too. But then Leander kept coming over to see Winslet. One thing led to another, and they ended up in bed together. When I caught them, I asked Winslet to explain. She didn’t even bother talking to me. She just said she was pregnant with Leander’s baby. Then she kicked me out of her company. She moved in with Leander and wouldn’t answer my calls. I had no way to reach her. Winslet gets annoyed listening to the diary entries, so she grabs the journal and starts reading it herself. “Winslet’s pregnant. She’s staying at Leander’s place now. I can’t see Winslet anymore, but Leander keeps coming around to mock me.” “He says our parents, my wife, and my career all belong to him now. He says I don’t deserve anything, that I’m just a pathetic failure.” “I didn’t want to fight with him, so I turned my wheelchair around and tried to leave. But he walked right toward me on purpose. When he passed by my wheelchair, he pretended to trip and fall to the ground.” “Winslet and my parents rushed over. Leander said I pushed him on purpose because I was jealous he could walk. I denied it, but nobody believed a word I said. They all called me ungrateful.” “Winslet was so upset that she had a miscarriage. She had people lock me up in this mansion on the estate outside of town.” “The house was huge, but I was the only one living there. The servants who took care of me just did their daily cleaning and prepared my meals. They never said a single word to me.” “The only company I had was a crow that built a nest on the eaves outside my window.” “Everyone says crows sound harsh and awful, but that crow’s voice was the most beautiful sound I heard during that whole time.”

Winslet continued reading. “But later, that crow who kept me company died in Ridgemont’s first snowfall.” “Winter in Ridgemont hits hard and fast. One night passed, and everything outside my window was covered in white. I struggled against the freezing wind to check on the nest, but all I saw were a few twigs barely hanging on.” “The cold wind had torn the nest apart. I looked down and saw the crow frozen and dead on the lawn below.” “The crow died, and I was alone again.” “I wanted to die, but they had the whole place locked down tight. Every sharp object was gone. The top floor of this mansion didn’t have elevator access, and I couldn’t get my wheelchair up the stairs.” “The only thing I could do was stop eating, but they figured out what I was doing pretty fast. So the servants stopped preparing meals and started giving me nutrition injections every single day instead.” “I couldn’t live properly, and I couldn’t die either.” “My mental state just kept getting worse. Pretty soon, I could only lie in bed, kept alive by the machines filling my room.” “Winslet didn’t want me, but she wanted to keep me alive.” “One day, a servant came into my room, turned on the TV, and then left.” “On the screen, Winslet stood in front of a crowd of reporters and personally denied every single achievement I’d earned at the police academy. She said all those awards were actually won by Leander, who just happened to look like me.” “The media goes absolutely crazy. I don’t even need to look to know how everyone is judging me.” “Sure enough, everyone says Leander was cursed to have a brother like me, and that the Blackwell family should be ashamed to have a son like me.” “Public opinion sweeps through the entire city like a tidal wave, and when it reaches its peak, my parents come out to respond. ‘We’re sorry, everyone. We didn’t raise our son properly,’ they said. ‘But we hope you can forgive Matthias for our sake. We spoiled him too much. We’re truly sorry.’” “Every single word they say just confirms those lies that were never even true. I’m lying in bed right now, and I don’t even have the energy to be angry anymore.” *** “I keep thinking about a few years ago when I was still a student at the police academy. Back when Leander hadn’t been found yet, and I was the only son in the family. Back before Winslet married me, when she was completely focused on me. Scene after scene flashes through my mind like a slideshow.” “Am I going to die? Maybe that’s better. Please let it be quick. I can’t take this suffering anymore.” “But I don’t get what I wish for. Ever since Leander came back, I haven’t gotten what I wished for even once.” I’m lost in these memories when a loud thud snaps me back to reality. Leander drops to his knees in front of Winslet. I guess Winslet just finished reading those diary entries and asked Leander if everything in them was true. Leander doesn’t try to defend himself. He just shoots back a question. “Winslet, is that really what you think of me? “He’s my own brother! I’ve always protected him! Why would I ever frame him? If you don’t believe me, just ask any servant in this house.” Winslet’s sharp gaze softens. She realizes she’s wrongly accused the person she loves. She carefully helps Leander back to his feet. “I almost got fooled again. I said those things, but I also ordered them to buy out all the media outlets. How did some reckless reporter still manage to publish that story?” After she says this, she opens the diary again and keeps reading. “A group of men broke into the house. They were stumbling around like drunk homeless people.” “The servants disappeared like they couldn’t see anything. Those men walked straight into my room. My leg was broken, and I’d been bedridden for so long. I couldn’t fight back.” “Their mouths reeked of alcohol and decay. They crawled all over me, breathing hard against my skin. And then they finished all over me.” “After that first day, someone came every day. Always drunk men.” “The servants only showed up when they needed to change out my IV. They never even bothered to clean me up or wipe away the filth on my body.” “Help me. Someone please help me. Or just kill me. Anyone, please.” “Leander came to visit, but Winslet didn’t. He said I looked disgusting now, like a dried up corpse. He said even those men didn’t want to come anymore because I was too dirty.” “He told me he wanted to preserve my best appearance, so he forced a bowl of medicine down my throat. The medicine tasted bitter, but not as bitter as my heart felt.” “He didn’t need to force me though. I would’ve drunk it on my own. I could finally die. “Winslet, I never want to see you again. Not in this life or the next.” The diary entries stop there. Everything after that is just huge dark red bloodstains covering the pages. Leander immediately speaks up. “That’s complete bullshit! What did I do wrong? Why is he lying about me like this?” Winslet, who usually treats Leander like he’s the most precious thing in the world, doesn’t move. When Winslet doesn’t answer, Leander starts to panic. “You don’t believe me, Winslet? He’s lying!” Winslet finally hugs him back. “I believe you, Leander. I believe you.” She turns to the medium. “This is ridiculous! Burn this journal right now!” Someone immediately moves forward to grab the diary. But the medium slowly lifts her head. “No, wait! Something’s wrong!”

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